By Steve Rundio
La Crosse Tribune
SPARTA, Wis. — A 17-year-old Sparta girl faces criminal charges in adult court alleging she started a fire inside a Sparta department store Dec. 26.
Emma Renee Smith faces felony counts of arson, first-degree recklessly endangering safety and criminal damage to property and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
According to the complaint, the fire started around 10:45 a.m. in Walmart’s fabric and craft aisle. Video surveillance reportedly shows Smith in the area when the fire started. The footage shows Smith taking different routes around the fire to see what happened before walking toward the exit. When she got outside, she stood alone with her hand over her face and appeared uncertain about where to go. Eventually, Smith walked to a blue SUV and drove away just as firefighters and police arrived.
The complaint says surveillance photographs were shown to a School Resource Officer at Sparta High School, who identified the suspect as Smith.
Police contacted Smith at her Sparta address later in the day. The complaint says Smith’s mother answered the door and summoned Smith, who was visibly nervous and shaking as she came down the steps.
Smith acknowledged her presence at Walmart but originally denied starting the fire. She told police she heard someone yell “fire” and stopped to take video before telling people to get away from the area. She showed police two short video clips of the fire. She told police she felt bad about shooting video instead of leaving immediately.
Upon further questioning, Smith reportedly admitted to starting the fire. She told police she lit a green artificial leaf that was on a shelf about waist high. She said she panicked and fled without telling anyone after she saw how quickly the fire burned the leaf and reached the ceiling. She commented several times about how fast the fire spread.
Smith told police she drove from Walmart to a nearby convenience store, went inside a restroom and cried. She said she made a second stop at a retail shop where she is employed before returning home. She then made a short trip to a grocery store, returned home and remained there until police arrived.
When asked why she started the fire, she reportedly replied that she wasn’t thinking straight and couldn’t help herself. She told police that she has issues with impulse control.
Smith apologized to police numerous times and said she would pay for the damage. The complaint says Walmart estimates the damage at $7.6 million. An electronic billboard says the store is closed until further notice and that no traffic is allowed in the store parking lot.
Smith is free after her mother posted a $5,000 cash bond. Conditions include GPS bond monitoring, no possession of anything that can start a fire and house arrest except for work, treatment and attending school. She has an initial court appearance set for Jan. 29.
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