Sumner arson suspect ‘decimated’ city’s downtown, Pierce County prosecutors say
A 23-year old woman was charged Thursday for intentionally starting a fire in downtown Sumner that caused massive damage to local businesses and destroyed a historic building on Main Street.
Alyssa Rae Leach was charged in Pierce County Superior Court with first-degree arson. According to court documents, the arson was charged as a major economic offense, an aggravating circumstance that could lengthen the defendant’s prison sentence if she is convicted.
Pleas of not guilty were entered on Leach’s behalf at arraignment Thursday afternoon. Court Commissioner Philip Thornton set bail at $1 million.
“Ms. Leach’s actions decimated the downtown Sumner area,” deputy prosecuting attorney Robert Yu said during the proceeding. “Multiple businesses were total losses. Others have suffered heavy damage, whether through smoke or water.”
Yu also said several apartment units adjacent to the building where the fire started had to be evacuated.
Court records show Leach has a pending Superior Court court case where she is accused of taking a motor vehicle without permission Oct. 6 in Puyallup. Yu said Leach also has several pending cases out of Sumner, including criminal trespassing, reckless burning and third-degree theft. The defendant does not have any prior convictions in Washington.
The Oct. 28 fire drew dozens of firefighters to 1003-1005 Main Street, a two-story, 9,720-square-foot structure built in 1911. It took fire crews hours to fully extinguish the fire, and, when the flames were out, three businesses, several offices and the historic structure itself were totaled. At least eight other businesses or offices had to close due to smoke and water damage.
Several businesses affected by the fire told The News Tribune last week that they were still reeling. Inventory, business records, computers and sentimental items were destroyed in various storefronts. Some people had plans to rebuild what was lost, but it’s unclear how long that would take.
It’s tough to estimate just how much damage the fire caused. City of Sumner spokesperson Carmen Palmer said Thursday that the city was working on possibly declaring the event a disaster, which would qualify it for some assistance programs from the state. She said businesses were being asked to fill out an Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet.
Leach was identified as a suspect shortly after the fire. According to the declaration for determination of probable cause, a business affected by the fire provided Sumner Police Department with surveillance footage that showed the defendant and two males walking behind the building where the fire started between 1 and 2:20 a.m.
Sumner Police Chief Brad Moericke later told Sumner City Council that officers recognized Leach on video from frequent, recent contacts with her. In initial interviews with police, Leach allegedly said she and two other men had a “warming fire” behind Stuck Junction Saloon made up of burning cigarettes and wood. She said one of the other men started the fire. According to the probable cause document, police booked her into jail Oct. 29 on outstanding municipal court warrants.
In a subsequent Nov. 3 interview, Leach allegedly admitted to intentionally lighting the building on fire.
“During the interview the defendant suddenly pushed her chair back and said, ‘Can I be honest? I lit the fire,’” charging documents state. “She said that it was better to tell the truth and didn’t want to hurt anyone. The defendant stated that she wanted to ‘help prepare the firefighters’ but then said, ‘It’s not the right thing to do.’”
Leach also told police that her brother tried to put the fire out, but she lit it again because she thought he “was being mean” for putting something out that she started, records state.
This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 2:27 PM.
