A 48-year-old Chehalis man, Tiras Dietzen, has been accused of setting his own house on fire.
Dietzen was charged with first-degree arson during a preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday.
He faces up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine. The Class A felony is considered a strike offense. Albert Didcock has been assigned to represent Dietzen.
According to court documents provided by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, a Chehalis police officer responded to the structure fire Wednesday, Aug. 13, and observed Dietzen in the front yard of the residence. Smoke was visible from the open front doorway and windows.
Dietzen entered the residence and locked the door before the officer could enter. After refusing to come out, the officer kicked open the door.
The fire department arrived and discovered Dietzen’s brother sleeping in a bedroom upstairs. Court documents describe the brother as having special needs and “extensive medical issues.”
One witness reported that he observed Dietzen “stoking the flames” in the residence, as well as throwing items into the yard and on the roof.
Firefighters, meanwhile, found “a mound of burnt material in the middle of the stove top,” along with all four of the burners “set to high.”
The responding police officer indicated that, according to photos taken by the fire department, the material on the stove top appeared to have been placed intentionally.
The prosecutors noted in their affidavit of probable cause that the suspect said the fire started because he “knocked something over.” The suspect did not elaborate at that time.
Dietzen was first taken to Providence Centralia Hospital for medical clearance and later booked into Lewis County Jail. During his preliminary appearance, Defense Attorney Rachael Tiller said the state would have to prove the suspect “did knowingly, maliciously cause a fire or explosion which damaged a dwelling.”
Dietzen indicated he understood the charges.
During the hearing, Dietzen told Judge Joely A. Yeager, “I’ve communicated to the FBI 40 times. I will sit with you and any sheriff right now and tell you everything. This is a setup.”
At that point, prosecutors for the state asked that Dietzen be seen by a mental health professional. Dietzen replied that he had already asked for that for safety reasons. He also expressed disapproval that Tiller was involved in the case. Dietzen later asked for a lawyer and a call to the FBI.
The judge granted the state’s request for a competency evaluation with Western State Hospital, and that Dietzen be held without bail pending the results of that evaluation.
A review hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28.
