Wash. woman who started fire in police car sentenced

A woman who started a fire while seated in the back of a Yakima police car has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.

The Yakima Herald http://is.gd/72dzSx reports 25-year-old Danielle Jo pleaded guilty in Yakima County Superior Court to a felony charge of first-degree reckless burning. She was sentenced Tuesday.

Officers put McRae in the back of a patrol car while investigating reports of a woman being chased by a man with a knife.

A detective at the scene saw smoke coming from the vehicle. She apparently started the fire by lighting her clothing with a cigarette lighter.

McRae spent two days in the hospital and was treated for smoke inhalation.

It was unclear why she started the fire. In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dismissed a charge of first-degree malicious mischief.

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Information from: Yakima Herald-Republic, http://www.yakimaherald.com

The Associated Press