Polson woman accused of setting carport fire

A Polson woman is accused of intentionally setting a fire in the carport of a Polson residence. Shyann Brook Crabtree, 27, entered a plea of not guilty to felony negligent arson in Polson District Court on Nov. 13.

According to court records, on Oct. 13, Polson Police responded to a debris fire on 13th Ave. W. A woman at the scene told the responding officer that Crabtree was there earlier and was asked to leave. Another witness told the officer that Crabtree had threatened to burn the house down.

A neighbor’s video surveillance captured video of the incident which appears to show Crabtree igniting a debris pile before leaving. It also showed occupants of the residence attempting to extinguish the fire with a bucket of water. The fire was in the carport of the residence and next to a propane tank.

Crabtree’s public defender, Dustin Allen, requested his client be released on her own recognizance. Lake County Attorney James Lapokta objected, arguing that bail should be maintained at $50,000 as the fire was set at an occupied residence, and that someone could have died.

Judge Molly Owen lowered the bond amount to $25,000 and set the case for trial March 31, to coincide with a separate drug possession case against Crabtree.