A Kansas City woman who already was charged with setting a fire in her nail salon in Northeast Kansas City now faces additional charges in connection with the October 2015 fire that resulted in the deaths of two firefighters and the injuring of two others, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Thu Hong Nguyen, dob 6/20/1972, now faces the Class A felony of Causing Catastrophe and two counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree for the injured firefighters. She already faced two counts of Murder in the 2nd Degree for the deaths of two firefighters and an Arson in the 1st Degree. The additional charges were part of an indictment, released today and issued this week by a Jackson County grand jury.*
According to court records, an ATF Special Agent with experience in investigating numerous fires states that two firefighters suffered serious physical injury in addition to the two firefighters who lost their lives. In addition, probable cause exists, the special agent stated, that the defendant set the fire and caused substantial damage to five or more inhabitable structures or buildings, including a 16-unit apartment building, placing persons in close proximity in danger of death or injury.
Nguyen remains in custody on a $2 million cash bond.
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.