'Angry' Dollar Tree customer suspected of arson
Firefighters were still pouring water on what remains after a fire in Kent, Washington, quickly engulfed a Dollar Tree and heavily damaged five other in a strip mall.
Rick Tillman, whose health and fitness club was affected by the fire, showed the "water and smoke damage throughout the building." He said he helped evacuate the store next door as the fire was starting.
"By the time we got out, it was as if someone struck a big match and everything just went up in flames," Tillman said. "I ran down and then got everyone out of my health club."
Tillman said he remembers seeing 64-year-old Linda Poplawksi.
"She's the one I saw in handcuffs," he said.
Poplawksi waived her Monday court appearance. Her family listened as the prosecutor described the case against her.
"The defendant set fire to a Dollar Tree where there were 15 to 25 customers inside," Alisha Trotter, King County deputy prosecutor said. "She made verbal threats about burning down the store, and she did."
Witnesses said the woman, described as a disgruntled customer, became "angry" and "threatening," but it's not clear why.
It is something that left her neighbors at a Des Moines, Iowa, apartment complex stunned.
"I am really in shock," said Dawn, who declined to give her last name. "I see her all the time. I've lived by her almost four years. I can't believe she would do something like that."
Neither can Gloria Ravert. She had mail in the post office next door that was heavily damaged, too.
"I don't know what to think," said Ravert. "It's amazing. Looks like a total loss."
Poplawski's bail was set at $225,000. She had a Wednesday court appearance scheduled.
