Sept. 21 – A 53-year-old lady accused of beginning three fires in West Hills early final month has been accused of beginning 5 fires within the Dishman Hills space on the identical day.
5 counts of second-degree arson had been added this month to the three counts of first-degree arson Vicki L. Smith already confronted, in accordance with court docket paperwork.
Smith instructed investigators that God instructed her to gentle the eight fires to unfold her message concerning the lack of ability of individuals with disabilities, like her, to acquire housing in Spokane. She stated the fires had been additionally retaliation for individuals who didn’t assist her together with her housing wants.
The West Hills fires pressured residents to evacuate and threatened dozens of buildings, however none burned and no accidents had been reported.
The fires destroyed landscaping and timber on the Finch Arboretum and Indian Canyon Golf Course, paperwork say. In addition they broken property at Challenge Catalyst, a Catholic Charities shelter in jap Washington.
The Dishman Hills fires broken landscaping and timber as properly however had been rapidly extinguished.
Smith was arrested in Tukwila, Washington, one week after the August 3 fires.
Smith directed investigators to the situation of the eight fires, saying she used a paper towel and a lighter to ignite each, aside from one West Hills hearth the place she used a girls’s pillow to start out the fireplace, in accordance with court docket information.
Smith additionally allegedly admitted to writing graffiti in downtown Spokane referring to the burning of town on August 3.
Smith remained within the Spokane County Jail Thursday on $75,000 bail and is scheduled for trial on Nov. 13.