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Man pleads guilty to arson in 2015 Central Washington fire

The Sleepy Hollow Fire is seen engulfing a hillside west of Wenatchee and threatening structures at approximately 3 a.m. Monday, Jun 29, 2015, in Wenatchee, Wash. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

WENATCHEE – A 39-year-old man has admitted to setting a fire that destroyed nearly 30 homes in north-central Washington in 2015.

Jeremy Kendall of Wenatchee pleaded guilty to first-degree arson Tuesday in Chelan County Superior Court.

Chelan County Prosecutor Douglas Shae said Kendall was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

The so-called Sleepy Hollow fire in the Wenatchee area scorched more than 4 square miles during the state’s worst wildfire season.

Kendall was charged in 2016 but was found to be incompetent to stand trial. He was ordered to undergo mental health treatment at Eastern State Hospital.

Shae said Kendall was found fit to stand trial and indicated at his arraignment last week that he wanted to enter a guilty plea.

Shae said people whose homes burned have been compassionate about Kendall’s condition but also feel he didn’t get enough time.