PORT ANGELES — A Sequim woman alleged to have set fire to the doorway of an apartment more than a year ago will be arraigned Friday in Clallam County Superior Court on a first-degree arson charge.
Police said Heather N. Tomaino, 24, who was arrested Aug. 15, splashed gasoline outside the entry of a Port Angeles apartment on June 9, 2009, then lit it while the resident was inside.
The resident, Larne Jones, stamped out the flames, court documents said.
Jones, who was not injured, told police that Tomaino also had splashed him with gasoline.
Police say the fire burned a large area “just inside of the entry.”
The fire occurred after Tomaino accused Jones of hitting one of her children with a padded sword.
The maximum penalty for first-degree arson is life in prison and a $50,000 fine
Police arrested Tomaino after interviewing a man who left the apartment shortly before the fire.
The interview occurred Aug. 4 while the man was in jail on an unrelated charge, Port Angeles Detective Jason Viada said.
He said the man’s identity was known to police early in the investigation.
However, he was not contacted earlier because detectives were focusing on other cases, such as crimes against children and armed robberies, that are higher priorities, Viada said.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
