A Sunday fire destroyed a Dollar Tree store in Kent in the 23400 block of Pacific Highway South.

A Sunday fire destroyed a Dollar Tree store in Kent in the 23400 block of Pacific Highway South.

Kent Police arrest woman for investigation of arson in strip-mall fire

Kent Police arrested a 64-year-0ld Des Moines woman for investigation of arson for starting a three-alarm fire Sunday afternoon that destroyed most of a Pacific Highway South strip mall.

The woman remained Tuesday in the King County jail in Seattle with bail set at $225,000. She was booked Sunday evening into the jail, according to jail records.

“She hasn’t been charged yet,” said Dan Donohoe, spokesman for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, in a Tuesday email.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The woman waived her first appearance in court on Monday but a King County District Court judge made a probable cause finding and set the bail. The woman is scheduled to make a court appearance on Wednesday.

The fire all but completely destroyed a Dollar Tree merchandise store, tobacco shop and U.S. Post Office in the 23400 block of Pacific Highway South on the West Hill. The fire also damaged a beauty salon, specialty food store and a fitness gym at the mall, according to the Kent Regional Fire Authority.

Police arrested the woman outside the strip mall on Sunday afternoon, less than two hours after 911 callers first reported the fire. Witnesses told an officer that the woman made comments inside the Dollar Tree store about burning it down, according to court documents.

The woman reportedly went to aisle 1 in the store where the greeting cards are displayed. About 90 seconds later, she came out of the aisle and stated that the store was on fire. Witnesses told police the woman was the only one in that aisle.

About 15 people were in the store when the fire broke out. Everyone got out safely.

The Kent Regional Fire Authority has not yet released a cause of the fire.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Chase Jones and his attorney Brad Barshis reading Jones’ statement to the judge. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/Sound Publishing
Man who killed four in Renton crash sentenced to over 17 years in prison

The prosecutor reported that he was traveling at 112 miles per hour when he crashed into the victims.

t
Three Kent men honored by state during fallen worker ceremony

One died falling from Seattle bridge; two others were fatally shot

City of Kent Corrections Facility, 1230 Central Ave. S. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Medical examiner identifies woman found dead in city of Kent jail

Cause and manner of death are pending for 45-year-old woman

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Large Kent Police response finds no weapon threats on Central Avenue

About a dozen police vehicles arrived in 700 block of Central Ave. S. Thursday, April 24

U.S. District Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, USDOJ
Kent man pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking charges

Part of international drug ring that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine

Kent School Board members Tim Clark and Meghin Margel. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent School Board recall group files for reconsideration

Petitioners take next step after judge dismissed petitions to recall Meghin Margel, Tim Clark

t
Future female firefighters learn key skills at workshop

32 women participate in firefighting, emergency medical services training

t
Kent pedestrian killed in April 21 crash identified

Vicente Islas Gomez, 50, died of multiple blunt force injuries along Central Avenue South

Courtesy File Photo, WSDOT
Section of State Route 167 in Kent to be fully closed night of April 24

From 10 p.m. Thursday, April 24 to 4 a.m. Friday, April 25 between S. 180th Street and S. 212th Street

t
Kent man wanted in DV incident reportedly ‘has left the area’

Avon Cobb still on the run; flashbang device might have caused fire at Auburn business where he fled

Courtesy Photo, Comcast
Some Comcast, Xfinity Business customers lose service in Kent

Vandals damage cable line; service expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 22

The city of Kent Corrections Facility, 1230 Central Ave. S. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Female inmate, 45, dies while in custody at city of Kent jail

Found unresponsive Tuesday morning, April 22