Anchorage man facing multiple charges after deadly July 13 motel fire

SEATTLE, WA – A man from Alaska is facing multiple charges related to the deadly July 13 fire on Aurora Avenue that led to the deaths of two people, according to the Seattle Times.

The accused is 24-year-old Anchorage man Jesse Puff, who allegedly set the fire at the Hillside Motel in retaliation for the theft of a laptop computer. According to investigators, the fire was started in a stairwell with the use of gasoline.

Puff allegedly planned the blaze in advance by targeting the motel room with the most occupants, bringing with him multiple containers of gasoline, and lingering around the motel for about an hour before the fire started.

He was charged on Friday with multiple crimes, including first-degree arson, second-degree assault, and first-degree murder.

Two people were killed in the blaze, and three more suffered serious injuries.

The first victim, 32-year-old Rosanna McCurry, died of multiple burns to the neck, shoulders, head, and arm, as well as carbon monoxide inhalation.

The second victim, Shadrack Baird, 24, died as a result of severe infection due to multiple burns and smoke inhalation, which burned his windpipe.

Of the injured victims, one woman is in critical condition and has not regained consciousness. Two others remain in the hospital as they’re treated for serious injuries.

Both deaths have been ruled a homicide by the King County Medical Examiner.

Puff is scheduled for arraignment on August 17, and is currently being held in jail on $2 million bail.

This is one in a series of reports provided by Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers as a service to inform our Seattle neighbors about traffic news and accidents in the area. Many of these accidents are preventable, and we hope that by reporting on such events, we will reduce the frequency of similar incidents. However, if you or someone you know has been injured in a similar situation, contact the Seattle burn accident injury attorneys of Jeffrey R. Caffee today for a consultation. You may be able to receive compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses.