Seattle police arrested a woman in West Seattle early this morning, several hours after investigators believe she set fire to the top floor of her home.
Firefighters and police were called to the home in the 10000 block of 51st Ave SW around 11:30 Tuesday night after receiving reports of a fire on the top floor of the home. At the scene, investigators found a gas can in a room on the top floor and quickly determined the fire was the result of arson.
The woman had left the scene, so police contacted the woman’s husband, who was not home when the fire was set.
After speaking with the woman’s husband, officers determined the woman appeared to be suffering from a mental health crisis. The woman had left the scene before officers arrived, but returned home around 1:30 AM, where police took her into custody. Officers later booked the woman into the King County Jail for investigation of arson.
Fire investigators estimate the fire caused $450,000 in damage to the home.