Fire suspect has history
Woman convicted of February blaze in same area
A woman convicted of setting a grass fire at a mobile home park last September is accused of torching the same area with a single match Monday night.
Carol J. Haloburdo, 53, is in Spokane County Jail on $20,000 bond, charged with second-degree reckless burning in a fire that threatened homes, businesses and heavy timber along Sunset Highway on the West Plains.
An off-duty firefighter spotted Haloburdo within minutes of the fire erupting at her home at 5314 W. Sunset, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Haloburdo told investigators that she was in an abusive relationship and that “when the cutting does not help she sets fires to help ease the pain,” according to the affidavit.
A book of matches fell from her blouse as Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Gladden walked her to his patrol car to take her for psychological evaluation. One match was missing.
Haloburdo was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years’ probation after pleading guilty to second-degree reckless burning in February.
The fire occurred at the Hilltop Mobile Home Park, the same place Monday’s fire did.