Police: Woman arrested after 5 fires intentionally set in Marysville

A 38-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a series of fires intentionally set in Marysville, police said.

KIRO 7 found this was not the first time she's accused of starting a fire.

The suspect, Jacqueline Simecki, was charged with reckless burning for starting a fire behind a business on State Avenue over Memorial Day weekend.  A fire was set behind Sean Drayton's business, J and R Auto Sports.  A neighbor called 911 and told Drayton what she saw. "Some lady running out from behind the building saying 'I did it, I did it, have me arrested!'"

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In the police report on May 27th the officer wrote:

"She told me she started the fire because she has a lot going on and 'wants help.' I believe Jacqueline's current mental health state poses a serious danger to property as well as the public and herself."

Police told KIRO-7 Simecki wanted mental health treatment so they took her to the hospital. She was not arrested, she was not booked into jail.

When she failed to appear for two court appearances a warrant was issued Tuesday. She was arrested Wednesday on that warrant when she was found close to the series of fires.

Drayton told KIRO-7 he was not surprised it was the same suspect, "I pretty much knew exactly who it was the second I heard it was a female suspect."

Laura Healy has a business on State Avenue and doesn't understand why Simecki was not in jail. "If they did a medical evaluation why did they let her out? It's kind of like everyone's dropping the ball and us citizens are the ones who are in danger," said Healy Thursday.

On Wednesday five fires were set in succession around the area of the 1100 block of State Avenue.

After 2 p.m., officers responded to assist firefighters with traffic control the area where an abandoned home was on fire.

As crews were trying to put out the house fire, a brush fire started across the street.

Police said a third fire was discovered in a heavily wooded area, which was started in a large pile of tires, garbage and debris.

The fourth and fifth fires were started closer to Interstate 5.

After a search, officers located a woman, who had black soot on her face and hands and smelled like smoke.

The woman was taken into custody before 3:45 p.m.

Police said the woman had a warrant for her arrest for a 2017 reckless burning charge. She was booked into the Marysville Jail on the warrant.

There were no injuries in the five fires.

Detectives are continuing their investigation.

Cox Media Group