Seattle police officer injured after burning lumber thrown inside patrol car

According to the Seattle Police Department: "Around 1:30 p.m., an officer was in their patrol vehicle in an alley between Dexter Avenue and John Street looking for a man who was reportedly brandishing a flaming piece of lumber."

The SPD Blotter stated that the officer found the man, who threw the flaming lumber—believed to be a 2×2—into the patrol vehicle while the officer was still inside. Additional responding officers chased the man into a parking garage where they deployed a taser and took him into custody.

One officer is believed to have discharged a firearm during the incident. The suspect was not struck. Additionally, as officers were arresting the man, the flames from the burning lumber engulfed the entire patrol vehicle.

The Seattle Police Department's Force Investigation Team is on scene conducting interviews and gathering evidence.

The unidentified officer was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment for non-life-threatening burns.