Man charged with setting fire inside ER lobby

WALLA WALLA – Hunter Gregory Nettles, 30, will be arraigned Monday after being arrested March 28 for allegedly starting a fire in the emergency room lobby at Providence St. Mary Medical Center.

After Nettles exited the emergency room, the staff smelled smoke and found a tissue box was on fire.

“Staff quickly put the fire out with a fire extinguisher,” Walla Walla Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Nick Loudermilk said.

Officers reviewed security camera footage and quickly identified Nettles, who was located a few blocks away.

“Nettles confessed to starting the fire,” Loudermilk said.

Damages are estimated at about $13,000.

Nettles’ booking charges are arson and malicious mischief – both in the first-degree and felonies – plus interfering with a health-care facility.

File photo

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Elkhorn Media Group

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