Bizarre Fire Incident in Missoula Sparks Multiple Charges

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 24, 2025, at approximately 11:53 p.m., a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to a report of a fire that had been started in the 1000 block of W Broadway. Call notes stated that a transient female was burning grass close to a business, and there were 1-foot-tall flames. Soon after, the officer learned that the flames were contained and not close to a building. 

The officer arrived on scene and was directed to the female suspect, who was sitting on a curb. The suspect identified herself as 52-year-old Lara Lacey. Lacey said that she understood what she was doing, but thought that the fire would be extinguished by the sewer. Lacey said she didn't realize that the trash and brush in the drain would also catch fire. Lacey expected the fire to remain small but had no plan to put it out. Lacey also stated that it was her right to burn things as "sacrifices".  

Then the officer went over to a male who witnessed the arson. He said that he was driving by and video-recorded Lacey starting the fire. He told Lacey that he would call the police. He showed the officer several videos that clearly showed Lacey by the fire. He said that he then called his friend, the owner of Kamoon. The owner was the person who called 911.  

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She is Arrested for Negligent Arson 

Then the officer returned to Lacey and placed her under arrest for negligent arson. According to court documents, Lacey admitted to knowingly starting the fire on W. Broadway in the sewer and placed property owned by the City of Missoula in danger.  

While conducting their search, MCDF staff subsequently found a cloth wristband with a zipper pouch on Lacey’s right wrist. Inside, there was a baggie with a white crystalline substance inside. Based on the officer’s training and experience, the white crystalline substance appeared to be consistent with methamphetamine. Lacey was additionally remanded for criminal possession of dangerous drugs because this bag of presumed drugs was found on her person. She was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. 

When the officer returned to the police station, the substance was tested with a TruNarc device and tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. The suspected methamphetamine was then placed in an evidence locker at the station. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Lacey is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and negligent arson. Her bond was set at $10,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.