Centralia Man Charged for Allegedly Starting Wednesday Dumpster Fire That Spread to the Rent-A-Center Building

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A Centralia man has been charged for allegedly starting a dumpster fire that spread to the Rent-a-Center in the 2000 block of Borst Avenue and caused an estimated $6,000 in damages.

Fire crews and law enforcement responded to the Rent-a-Center just after 8 a.m. on Aug. 25 and found the fire had spread from the dumpster to the exterior siding on the building.

Several witnesses in the area reportedly indicated a subject later identified as Trevor Singleton, 32, “was in the area and acting strange,” according to court documents.

Some witnesses reported observing Singleton “trying to ignite the dry grass at that location on fire” and observed smoke shortly after Singleton was seen walking behind the Rent-a-Center.

When questioned by police, Singleton allegedly “admitted to starting the fire in the dumpster, but stated that he did not intend for the fire to spread to the building” and turned over a torch lighter, which he claimed was used to start the fire.

An arson investigator determined the fire in the dumpster was started intentionally, but could not say whether there was intent for the fire to spread to nearby items.



Singleton was booked into the Lewis County Jail just after 9 a.m. on Aug. 25 and has been charged with one count of first-degree reckless burning, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Singleton gave defense attorney Rachael Tiller permission to disclose that his behavior the day of the alleged incident was likely due to a medication issue. Tiller reported that Singleton is now back on his medication, and requested that Judge Joely O’Rourke set an unsecured bail due to Singleton’s lack of prior felony history.

Deputy Prosecutor Joe Basetti asked O’Rourke to set a small secured bail due to the community safety risk posed by the alleged crime.

Judge O’Rourke ultimately set Singleton’s bail at $5,000.

“I think some bail is appropriate here given the circumstances and the threat to community safety,” O’Rourke said.

Singleton’s next court appearance is an arraignment hearing currently scheduled for Sept. 2.