Willits fire damage estimated at more than $600,000

The estimated cost of fire damage to three businesses during a suspected arson in downtown Willits has climbed to more than $600,000, fire officials said Monday.

In addition to the fire, smoke and water damage to the connected buildings and their contents, the heat from the Nov. 14 fire caused about $6,500 in damage to a patrol car, said Willits Police Chief Gerry Gonzalez.

Damage to the buildings, which housed a bar with an apartment overhead, a daycare center and a small market, was worse than it might have been because arson suspect Lacee Marie Ross, 31, forced firefighters to retreat from inside the buildings by brandishing what turned out to be a fake gun, according to public safety officials.

“They were ordered out by law enforcement” officials who spotted the gun, said Little Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Carl Magann.

Firefighters were limited to battling the fire from the outside - using water hoses from behind fire trucks - for almost an hour, he said.

They were able to re-enter the buildings only after Ross emerged from the burning bar – likely fleeing the increasing heat and flames. She was subdued with a Taser gun and taken into custody while in the street, Gonzales said.

Ross, who lived in the apartment above the bar where the fire is believed to have originated, has been charged with arson of a dwelling, burglary and brandishing an imitation firearm in a threatening manner. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Ross remains in the Mendocino County jail on $130,000 bail, according to jail authorities.

Recent jail booking records show Friday’s arrest was her third since Oct. 18.

She had been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery on that date and about one week later she was back in jail on suspicion of vandalism and petty theft. Both times she was released after posting bail. She was awaiting court proceedings at the time of the fire. Neighbors said they believe she recently had her two young children taken away by Child Protective Services.

Ross reportedly had run-ins with her neighbors and was being evicted from her apartment above the bar.