SUMNER, Wash. — A woman in her 20s said she started a fire that destroyed multiple Sumner businesses Oct. 28 because she wanted to have police and fire "do their jobs," according to the city.
Multiple businesses were destroyed in the fire that crews were called to around 2:30 a.m. on that day. The fire marshal determined it was an exterior fire that caused the blaze.
Security footage shows several people in the area around the time the fire started, according to the city.
The suspect, 23-year-old Alyssa Leach, was recognized from previous interactions with police. Sumner police arrested her on Oct. 29 and booked her into Pierce County Jail on unrelated warrants.
Leach has since been charged with first-degree arson.
During questioning, she initially admitted to being in the area near a "warming fire." On Nov. 3, she told police she started the fire intentionally.
In the interview, Leach admitted to officers that she started the fire at The Attic and the Stuck Junction Saloon because she, “wanted to see Sumner be used for fire drills instead of just being filled with bad energy.”
She added that her brother tried to kick the fire out, so she lit the fire again because she thought he was being mean by putting out something that she started.
Her jury trial is scheduled to begin on Dec. 28.
The investigation into the identity and possible involvement of other people continues.
Following the fire, East Pierce Fire & Rescue said the structure was "very unstable." According to the city, at least three businesses - The Attic, Stuck Junction Saloon and Whispering Hills – were impacted by the fire.
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