Ongoing vandalism in Coupeville escalated this weekend when a vandal set a fire in a public restroom located inside a historic barn.

Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes alerted town business owners and community members to the act of vandalism in an email Monday morning. According to the letter, someone has been regularly scratching a symbol into the drywall in the four public restrooms located in the Holbrook Barn near the Coupeville Library. Sometimes, the perpetrator would also break the light sensor, ceiling fan or ceiling light.

On Saturday afternoon, however, someone lit a fire in one of the restrooms. Hughes stated that the person attempted unsuccessfully to start a fire in one unit before moving to a second. The second restroom was a total loss.

Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue responded to the restroom fire, saving the Holbrook Barn, but electrical panels inside the barn were damaged in the incident. Electric vehicle charging stations located near the barn were not operational as of Monday as a result.

The public restrooms are locked at night, Hughes said, meaning these acts of vandalism have taken place during the day. Coupeville residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to ICOM non-emergency dispatch at 360-679-9567.