As Upriver Fire Rages, Spokane Man Arrested for Reckless Burning

Someone would have to have arsonist tendencies to do this...

    Spokane Man Jailed After 2nd Try at Seting a Fire

The suspect was previously arrested May 23rd for an unsuccessful attempt to start a fire, it didn't cause major damage.

Now, he's back behind bars after Deputies responded to a location near Dishman Mica Road and East Appleway in the Spokane Valley.

  Deputies Said This was Not Related to the Upriver Drive Blaze

Around 3:25 AM Tuesday morning, Officers were called to the area, after witnesses reported seeing flames, and some smelled burning rubber. Deputies and fire crews saw an orange glow from a tree line, and found 38-year-old Terrio T. Turntine standing nearby.

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He told Officers several stories, beginning with he was just walking to a convenience store and he saw a woman pushing a shopping cart who was walking away from the blaze. He then claimed he was trying to put it out.

  The Suspect Had Sooty Hands, and Had 2 Lighters With Him.

Turntine had an interesting explanation for the lighters, according to the SCSO:

"The Deputy asked why he had two lighters in his hands when they contacted him, and Turntine said he was trying to light a “joint” while trying to put out the fire."

He had a large spool of insulated copper wire with him, which was partially burned, likely giving off the pungent smell noticed by witnesses. The SCSO says his previous fire-related attempt involved almost the same method and materials.

Deputies and Fire crews used extinguishers to put out the small fire, which could have grown very rapidly.