SPOKANE, Wash. — The owner of the Alpine Deli on the east side of downtown Spokane says someone deliberately set fire to their building this week.
The owner tells 4 News Now Spokane Police told her it was arson.
A Facebook post Tuesday said people have been camping on the property. The owner said police told her that two people who typically camp in that area saw a third person come along and start the fire.
The damage was contained to the back of the building.
Owner Andrea Lejeune-Weiler says she’s been concerned about the campers and has voiced concerns to police about potential danger and damage to the property.
“Right now, I’m leaning very much (toward) not renewing my lease, just because it’s not worth the stress,” Lejeune-Weiler said.
4 News Now spoke with a nearby business that captured the fire on surveillance footage. However, they declined to hand over the footage due to fear of retaliation by the suspect.
Despite this, 4 News Now watched the footage, which showed a male approaching the back of the deli around 10 pm on Sunday and attempting to start a fire.
Multiple flames became visible on the security camera around midnight, and shortly after, SFD arrived to extinguish the flames.
For now, she said they feel lucky it wasn’t worse and wants people to know the deli is open and operating.
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