Arsonist started floral shop blaze

David Cole

Herald staff writer

Fire causes $50,000 in damage

MOSES LAKE — Local fire officials and police have ruled the Nov. 23 blaze at Moses Lake Floral to be arson.

The fire was confined to the floral shop at 115 W. Third Ave. and was contained within 15 minutes. The blaze, however, caused $50,000 in estimated damage, according to Moses Lake Fire Marshal Brett Bastian.

He said burn patterns and physical evidence collected at the scene led investigators to their conclusion of arson.

Bastian said Monday investigators have completed their work and the Moses Lake Police Department will be taking over.

MLPD Captain Jim Jenkins said flammable accelerants were found inside the building. Police have not found evidence of vandalism or damage to the floral shop that was not a result of fire, he said.

Jenkins said the remaining physical evidence was submitted to the Washington State Patrol crime lab in Cheney for further analysis. The crime lab work could take weeks, possibly months, to complete.

The investigation will continue with interviews of people connected with the business, Jenkins said.

Bill Walton, the owner of Moses Lake Floral for the past eight years, said arsonists crashed through a side window with a sledgehammer and dumped gasoline inside the shop before igniting the blaze.

Walton said computers inside were destroyed, causing the loss of all business records. The only survelliance camera inside the shop was also burned, he said.

He plans to renovate the floral shop and host a grand reopening.

Walton, who is also the Moses Lake Business Association president, will offer up to a $5,000 reward through his insurance for information about the arson.

If you have information about the crime, please contact the MLPD.