$600k for Sumner businesses damaged in 2022 arson

Woman arrested for allegedly starting fire that burned several Sumner businesses

Police say a woman intentionally started a fire that destroyed 8 businesses in order to get police officers and firefighters to "do their jobs."

SUMNER, Wash. - A woman has been charged for allegedly setting a fire that destroyed eight businesses in historic downtown Sumner last month. 

Crews responded to a block of businesses on Main Street around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 28 as a massive fire was burning. The fire took about five hours to be completely put out, and in the aftermath, eight businesses were impacted. Whispering Hills Market, Stuck Junction Saloon, and The Attic, have been declared a total loss.

A day after the fire, several businesses shared surveillance footage with police that showed people around the area at the time of the fire. A woman in her 20s was recognizable from several recent interactions with police. 

She was later identified as Alyssa Rae Leach.

She was booked into the Pierce County Jail in November of 2022 on unrelated warrants and during her questioning, police say she admitted to setting the fire on purpose in order to have police and fire crews "do their jobs."

She is awaiting a competency hearing. 

Community reeling after fire burns down multiple Sumner businesses

Multiple businesses in downtown Sumner were damaged after a fire early Friday morning. Several businesses were on fire and crews had to shut down Main Street from Fryar Ave to Wood Ave for the response.

Some of the impacted businesses are eligible for some of a $600,000 grant by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The funds will be used for rebuilding and reopening efforts.