Kansas City Woman Charged with Arson Against Fire-Fighters

Nearly two weeks after a local fire took the lives of firefighters Larry Leggio and John Mesh, prosecutor Jean Peters-Baker announces charges against a local Kansas City woman who is said to have started the fire herself.

43 year old Thu Hung Hguyen was charged with 1st Degree and two counts of 2nd Degree Murder on behalf of the fire.

At approximately 7:30 pm on Monday, Oct. 12, firefighters rushed to the scene to begin rescuing civilians from the building. Minutes passed and the fire only grew wilder as flames shot out of windows and doors. After many rescue operation plans and strategies, a wall collapsed on Mesh and Leggio.

“That’s crazy,” junior Caylor Kapolla said. “I can’t believe that happened. I am really sad for the families of the two men.”

For weeks, investigators have been searching through rubble and calling for witnesses, and finally came to the conclusion that Nguyen, owner of LN Salon and Spa, was the cause. When asked about the incident, Nguyen claims to have left work at 7:15. But, further investigation finds that Nguyen did not leave, but indeed set the fire by pouring Acetone in the stock room and lit it on fire.

“I was really surprised to hear that the fire was not an accident,” senior Kylah Bateman said. “I can’t believe someone would do that on purpose.”

Nguyen is responsible for $2,000,000 worth of equipment and machinery. Despite her jail-time, Nguyen is still responsible for the lives of Leggio, 17-year veteran and Fire Apparatus Operator, and Mesh, 13-year veteran. They will be dearly missed as the families and friends of the two men mourn the loss of their loved ones.