Ousted customer suspected of setting Lake Stevens restaurant fire

Published 10:43 pm Monday, January 19, 2009

LAKE STEVENS — Police said they arrested a Lake Stevens man after he allegedly tried to start a fire at a restaurant where he had been refused more alcohol.

Police and fire crews were called about 10 p.m. Saturday to La Hacienda restaurant on Highway 9 in Lake Stevens, according to a police report.

Someone set fire to a roll of paper towels in the men’s room. Bouncers at the restaurant were able to extinguish the fire.

Police learned that a man, 31, earlier had been cut off from being served more alcohol, the report said. Bouncers believed the man may have tried to start the fire in retaliation.

There were about 40 people in the restaurant when the fire was started.

Officers reviewed video surveillance and later arrested the man. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree arson.