Man accused of nearly causing explosion at Harborview Medical Center pleads not guilty

Steven Sauro, 29, is charged with arson, malicious mischief, and four counts of assault after the incident on February 14.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The man accused of setting a fire and nearly causing an explosion in a trauma room at Harborview Medical Center's emergency department pleaded not guilty on Tuesday morning. Steven Sauro, 29, is charged with arson, malicious mischief, and four counts of assault for the incident that caused around $100,000 in damage and endangered staff and patients.

Why it matters

The incident at Harborview Medical Center raises concerns about patient behavior and security measures in busy hospital emergency departments, as well as the potential risks of fires and explosions in medical facilities.

The details

Prosecutors say that on February 14, Sauro caused about $100,000 in damage to the trauma room, started a fire near a broken oxygen line that could have triggered an explosion, and kicked and spat on nurses and security staff. Sauro became enraged after being told he did not need surgery and would only receive splints for his wrist injuries. He threw a chair, yelled at nurses, and continued to be aggressive even after being restrained on the bed.

  • On February 14, Sauro allegedly caused the damage and incident at Harborview Medical Center.
  • On February 24, 2026, Sauro pleaded not guilty to the charges.
  • Sauro's trial is set for April 13.

The players

Steven Sauro

A 29-year-old man charged with arson, malicious mischief, and four counts of assault for the incident at Harborview Medical Center.

Harborview Medical Center

A major hospital in Seattle, Washington that houses the emergency department where the incident occurred.

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What’s next

Sauro's trial is scheduled for April 13, where the judge will decide the outcome of the charges against him.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of hospital security measures and protocols to address potentially violent or unstable patient behavior in order to protect staff and other patients, especially in emergency departments where tensions can run high.