Deputies: Woman burned garage in attempt to go to jail

A woman started a fire in a Chattaroy garage because she was not happy with her living arrangements, according to a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office news release. Amanda Cook, 24, told deputies she intentionally started the fire near the 32700 block of Elk-Chattaroy Road just before 2 p.m. because she wanted to be in jail, the release said. Deputies granted that desire by arresting her on suspicion of first-degree arson and booking her into Spokane County Jail. Spokane Fire District 4 investigators deemed the fire suspicious earlier today because Cook allegedly lit a mattress on fire at the same address yesterday, Division Chief Bob Bender said. Wednesday afternoon’s blaze quickly extended to an attached mobile home, Bender said. It took about 25 firefighters to bring the fire under control. Nobody was injured during the fire, but two people are displaced since the fire destroyed about half of the mobile home. The Red Cross is helping the family, Bender added. Cook told deputies she soaked a towel in gasoline and lit it on fire inside the garage. She also took her dog to a neighbor’s home, the release said.