The general manager of Astoria Warehousing suspects arson.

ASTORIA — U.S. Coast Guard Cape Disappointment assisted just before 4 a.m. Saturday when a large, suspicious pier fire started in dozens of pallets on the pier behind Astoria Warehousing.

The Coast Guard crew responded to the scene due to burning pallets falling into the river. The Astoria and Warrenton fire departments extinguished the blaze. Police consider the fire suspicious because the pallets were stored behind a locked gate.

Astoria Warehousing General Manager Dan Supple said this was the second time pallets have caught fire near the warehouse since it opened for business in 1983. He suspected arson was the cause.

“There’s no other way that could have happened,” he said.

Anyone who may have information about the cause of the fire or who may have been involved can contact Astoria Police Detective Ken Hansen at 503-325-4411.