Arson suspect arrested

William John Young II, 39, Spokane, who was named as an arson suspect in connection with the motel room fire in Pullman Tuesday, July 19, was arrested by a Washington State Patrol Trooper at about noon Wednesday, July 20. Young was reportedly walking along Highway 195 in the Rosalia area when he was apprehended.

The fire, reported at 4:45 a.m. in an upper story room of the American Travel Inn on South Grand, was labeled suspicious in early reports from the fire department. Pullman Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the one upper unit at the end of the motel. Pullman fire and police investigators were at the scene after the fire was doused.

Damage to the motel was estimated in the $80,000 to $100,000 range.

In an affidavit for Young’s arrest filed in superior court, Pullman Police Officer J. Scott Kirk said Young was one of two construction crew members who had been residing in the motel room while working in Pullman. The report said Pullman officers located one of the occupants of the room who said Young had become upset and threatened him with a pitchfork. The man told police Young then started to set the room on fire using a propane tank and toilet paper.

The witness said he left the room after Young began to use the propane tank. He said he walked to Dissmore’s on N. Grand. He told officers he later saw Young driving his pickup truck northbound on Grand and assumed he was departing for home in Spokane. The witness said he started walking back to the motel and discovered it was on fire.

According to the affidavit, the co-worker told officers Young had been using methamphetamine.

Another Pullman officer at the scene of the fire found and exploded a propane tank, according to the affidavit for the warrant which was issued by the court.