A Bellingham man will spend a little over two years in prison for intentionally setting two fires days apart in November that caused more than $5 million in damages.
Craig Stuart Wise, 54, was sentenced Thursday in Whatcom County Superior Court to 2¼ years in prison, with 1½ years probation for first-degree arson for the destruction caused in the Blue Sea Systems fire.
Wise was initially charged with first-degree arson and second-degree burglary in one case, and second-degree arson in a second case. As part of a plea deal, Wise’s burglary charge and second arson case were dismissed in exchange for an agreed sentencing recommendation at the highest end of the sentencing range for first-degree arson.
“Mr. Wise, this was a very serious crime and everyone involved was lucky no one was hurt or killed in the process of this."