BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Authorities say the Maple Falls fire victim stole from her Bellingham employer for two years.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says 45-year-old Belinda Barnett worked at Swans Moving and Storage from May 2010 to January of this year allegedly embezzling nearly 106-thousand-dollars during that time.

Detectives had attempted to contact Barnett the morning of the fire.

Shortly after the officers left neighbors reported seeing smoke coming from Barnett’s home.

Investigators say the blaze appeared to be set intentionally and they suspect Barnett may have been despondent over the criminal investigation.