Arrest follows Lynnwood motel fire

Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, August 12, 2008

LYNNWOOD — A motel fire on Sunday that injured three people and displaced dozens of lodgers in Lynnwood is believed to have been set by a woman who wanted to collect financial assistance from the American Red Cross, Lynnwood police said Tuesday.

Lynnwood detectives on Tuesday arrested the woman, 30, for investigation of arson. They also are probing into her past to determine whether she has any connection to previous fires, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.

Fire investigators also continue to examine the evidence.

The woman had been living in the motel room for about a week before the fire, Sessions said.

The Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross often provides vouchers and money for emergency lodging and other basic necessities for fire victims.

Disaster relief workers responded to Sunday’s fire and provided food, clothing and lodging to motel occupants, including the woman.

“Clearly she was trying to take advantage of the generosity of those people who donate to the Red Cross,” said Chuck Morrison, the executive director of the county’s chapter. “It’s shameful.”

Relief workers last year provided assistance to more than 100 families affected by fire, he said.

“We will continue to help the law-abiding families affected by Sunday’s fire,” Morrison said. “We’ll also seek to recover any assistance we provided to the woman.”

Firefighters raced to the motel, in the 18100 block of Highway 99, about 9:30 a.m. Sunday after the building’s fire alarm system sounded. Smoke was pouring out of the motel and people were rushing outside.

Two Lynnwood firefighters rescued a man stranded on the top floor of the motel. Three people were taken to Stevens Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. They were released the same day.

The motel owners haven’t yet decided on a plan to reopen the motel, Sessions said.