2 women accused of setting Wapato jail fire

WAPATO — Two women inmates of the Wapato city jail are accused of starting a fire.

The fire Saturday caused minimal damage but forced guards to evacuate 52 men and 10 women until the building was cleared of smoke.

According to Yakima County Superior Court documents released at a hearing Monday, several women inmates say the mattress fire was started by a 23-year-old at the instigation of an older inmate described as the unofficial “tank boss.” They reportedly believed women prisoners would be released if there was enough fire damage.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reported both suspects are now held in the Yakima County Jail with bail set at $500,000.

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Information from: Yakima Herald-Republic, http://www.yakimaherald.com

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