LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — A Spokane Shock player faces arsony charges after admitting to setting his bed on fire, causing a Liberty Lake apartment building to go up in flames.
The fire broke out around 5:30 a.m. Thursday at the Big Trout Lodge Apartments near 22000 E. Country Vista Drive. Kevin Ellison first told investigators he was smoking in bed, which sparked an accidental fire.
Ellison, 25, had to jump from a third story window to escape the flames. He was then taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Investigators then examined the building and realized Ellison’s explanation did not match what they discovered. Officials re-interviewed Ellison at the hospital and decided to arrest him for arson.
Court documents say Ellison admitted to setting his sheets on fire because "God told him to." He admits to smoking a blunt in bed.
The investigation is ongoing.
Three units were badly burned, and the renters can no longer live there. Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents.
Ellison was a Shock player as of Thursday morning. He has since been suspended, pending a full investigation. He was drafted out of USC by the San Diego Chargers, and played in four games with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010.
To read the court documents, click here.
