Teen gets more than two years for Tacoma pagoda fire

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, October 12, 2011

TACOMA — A 16-year-old boy who pleaded guilty to arson for a fire at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park pagoda was sentenced Tuesday to more than two years in juvenile detention.

The News Tribune reported he was given the maximum range — 142 to 189 weeks.

Prosecutors said he started the fire that was spotted early April 15 by a park employee.

Flames caused about $500,000 in damages to the 97-year-old pagoda. The replica of a 17th century Japanese lodge was the centerpiece of the park’s Japanese garden and the setting for weddings and other special events.