EVERETT — Her street names are “Magic” and “Fire Starter.”
Everett police believe she made good on the latter. The Snohomish woman, 40, was arrested Thursday night for investigation of reckless burning.
They believe she started a Jan. 28 dumpster fire next to a commercial building in the 3500 block of Paine Avenue.
Heat and flames came out of the dumpster, causing minor damage to the building. Everett firefighters were called to the scene. Fire officials retrieved video footage of two suspects — a man and a woman — near the dumpster when the fire started.
The man, reportedly seen on the video throwing a pallet onto the blaze, was arrested for his role. He told police that the woman was the one who started the fire.
In trying to track down the woman, police talked to several people who routinely crossed paths with her. Police were told she “constantly starts fires” near the Everett Gospel Mission. Several homeless people said they were concerned for their own safety because the suspect was always starting fires, according to court papers.
When she was arrested Thursday, the woman allegedly admitted to starting the dumpster fire. She also talked about starting other fires, police wrote in a probable cause statement.
The police officer who interviewed her said it was clear the woman has mental health issues and needs assistance.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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