A Susanville resident has been taken into custody on charges that she intentionally started the fire that destroyed the historic St. Francis Hotel and Utopia Property Management building early Friday morning.
At around 3:00a.m., according to details provided by the Susanville Fire Department, a police officer observed heavy smoke coming out of the St. Francis Hotel, located at 830 Main Street.
“Lassen County Sheriff Dispatch notified the Susanville Interagency Fire Center to dispatch Fire units,” details Susanville Public Safety Chief Michael Bengoa-Bollinger.
Susanville Truck One was the first to arrive on scene, finding a fully involved structure with heavy smoke and flames coming from all openings with a threat to the exposures.
Aggressive fire attack efforts were performed using a monitor line, and Truck 1 Arial stream. Additional units were requested from surrounding agencies. Additional crews worked to fight the fire in the building of origin, and the adjacent business where fire was found throughout the entire roof.
Agencies who arrived on scene included four engines from Cal-FIRE, High Desert State Prison Fire Department, Susanville River Fire Protection District, Sierra Army Depot with their aerial Ladder Truck, and Milford Fire Department.
“During the initial investigation, a local business owner in the area came forward with video surveillance. After reviewing the video, a single suspect was observed entering the St. Francis.”
According to police the subject was inside for approximately two minutes before exiting.
“A few moments later, what appears to be a combustible explosion takes place on the second floor of the building. Within 3 minutes of the fire starting, a police officer is observed pulling up to the building and making the initial notification reporting the fire.”
Later in the day, the individual observed going into the St. Francis was contacted and interviewed. Statements made by the subject to police officers led to her being taken into custody.
“The person has been identified as 39-year-old Tahnee Willow Orr of Susanville. Orr was booked into the Lassen County Jail on a charge of aggravated arson. The case is ongoing with follow-up interviews taking place.”
Bengoa-Bollinger thanked the City of Susanville Public Works Gas, Water and Building divisions, the city’s code enforcement team, City Hall Administration, Pee-Wee Enterprises, California Highway Patrol, Cal-Trans, LMUD, Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, Monath Construction, and CalFire Office of the State Fire Marshal for all their on-going assistance.
