SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A 21-year-old Spokane Valley man was arrested after authorities say he intentionally started a brush fire on the Appleway Trail, then reported it to emergency responders.
Spokane Valley Deputies and firefighters responded to the reported brush fire at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Aug. 15, west of Steen Road near E. Sprague Avenue. When a deputy arrived, he observed Joseph C. Procell Jr. waving and gesturing toward the fire’s location.
Deputies initially detained Procell at the scene. When questioned, he claimed he witnessed someone else start the fire. After being advised of his rights, he refused to answer additional questions. Without sufficient evidence, deputies released him as they continued their investigation.
Hours later, deputies obtained video footage from a nearby business camera. The video showed a suspect deliberately starting the fire and walking away without attempting to extinguish it. He then stopped, appeared to take a photograph, and reported the fire to authorities.
Deputies also discovered an aerosol can of Heat Starter Fluid near the burnt area. Spokane Valley Fire personnel had to cut through a fence to access the fire, resulting in approximately $2,000 in property damage.
Working with Spokane Valley Fire Investigators, deputies established probable cause to arrest Procell.
Procell was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree arson and second-degree malicious mischief, both felonies.
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