Whatcom tire store owner arrested on arson charges after fire destroys business

Kerry Michael Bolton, 46, the owner of Bolton Tire Pros, was arrested Wednesday, July 27, by the Lynden Police Department and booked and released at Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree arson.

The Bolton Tire Pros store at 8165 Guide Meridian Road, Lynden, was destroyed in an early morning fire on July 17. Kerry Bolton is listed as the governor and registered agent for the business by the Washington Secretary of State’s website.

The business’ website notes the store is closed due to the fire.

The circumstances surrounding the fire at the business have been under investigation by the Lynden police and the Whatcom County Sheriff Office Fire Marshal, Lynden Police Chief Steve Taylor told The Bellingham Herald Thursday, July 28.

During the course of the investigation, which is ongoing, probable cause was developed to arrest Bolton on suspicion of first-degree arson in relation to the fire at his business, Taylor said.

The store’s inventory of tires, which are extremely flammable, likely played a big role in the store burning so quickly, Lynden Fire Department Chief Mark Billmire told The Herald for an earlier story. The fire nearly destroyed the entire building, and what was left standing on July 18 was knocked down due to safety concerns after investigators concluded their on-site review.

According to its website, Bolton Tire Pros has been locally owned and operated since 2016, selling tires for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, RVs, trailers and farm equipment. The shop also did alignments, brake repairs, steering and suspension work, batteries and more.

On Facebook Wednesday night, Bolton wrote “I did not intentionally burn my shop down, it was an honest accident.” He asked people to “please don’t assume anything till this is over.”

On July 18, the same account posted “I want to thank everyone, on behave of Bolton Tire, and North County Services for the outpouring of condolences on the loss of our business facility. Thankfully no humans or animals were hurt, and our tools can be replaced.”

Bellingham Herald reporter Denver Pratt contributed to this story.