Woman charged with starting fire that killed 2 KC firefighters

Authorities have reopened a Kansas City street where two firefighters died during a building fire and collapse earlier this month.

The fire resulted in the deaths of Kansas City, Mo. firefighters, Larry Leggio and John Mesh.

A woman from Kansas City is charged with recklessly starting the fire in a building on Independence Avenue two weeks ago that resulted in the deaths of two Kansas City firefighters.

She is being held on a $2 million bail for her most recent fatal fire, and faces up to 30 years in prison.

“Late last night, ATF agents and members of the Kansas City Bomb and Arson Unit arrested a suspect who remains in custody at this hour”, said Gregory Gant, Special Agent in Charge for the Kansas City Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The building contained several small businesses, including Nguyen’s LN Salon and Spa, on the first floor and 16 apartments on the second floor.

“They are really struggling with the news that they received today”, Baker said.

Court documents say Nguyen told investigators she previously received insurance payments from two other fires.

According to court records, during the course of the investigation, investigators learned Nguyen was associated with two other fires. In January, a fire was reported in a vacant apartment above the LN Salon and Spa, which damaged the business.

Investigators found the fire was started at her work station, but determined the cause as accidental.