Man with Whatcom County ties wanted for questioning after three found dead in Skagit County house fire

Police are looking for a man with ties to Whatcom County who is suspected to have been at the scene of a fatal Skagit County house fire last week.

Investigators suspect Jason M. Birman, 49, was at the home that burned down on August 9, 2024. Three bodies were recovered from the wreckage, according to an Aug. 14 news release from the Mount Vernon Police Department.

Skagit County deputies first responded to the scene of the fire around 10:42 a.m. on August 9 to a two-story residence in the 15000 block of State Route 530 south of Rockport in the city of Concrete.

The residence was destroyed in the fire and heavy equipment was required to pull the victims’ bodies from the debris, according to the release.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“WCSO is aware that the Mount Vernon Police Department is investigating a fire that occurred in Concrete. The MVPD has shared information with the WCSO to support the investigation,” Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office told The Bellingham Herald.

Birman is unaccounted for along with his blue 1994 Chevrolet pickup with a license plate number C67636L.

Birman is known to spend time in Whatcom County and is an avid four-wheeler, according to a news release from the Mount Vernon Police Department. Officials have not provided additional details regarding Birman’s potential connection to the fire.

The residence is registered to a contract employee of Skagit County, so the investigation is being led by the Mount Vernon Police Department, according to the release.

The identities and causes of death of the three victims have not yet been released pending the notification of next of kin.

That information is expected to be announced later this week after the Skagit County Coroner’s Office completes the forensic examinations of the victim’s bodies.

Anyone with information regarding Birman or his vehicle is asked to call the Mount Vernon police tipline at 360-661-2319. People who witnessed the fire are asked to call the 24-hour dispatch information number (360) 428-3211 or call Mount Vernon Police at (360) 336-6271 during business hours.