OSCEOLA — A Mishawaka woman is charged with arson after fire investigators determined a residential fire last month was set intentionally.
Heather Burns, 33, was charged by the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s office with arson — a level four felony — and two charges of theft, a class A misdemeanor and a level six felony for prior conviction of conversion for exerting control over someone else’s property without permission. The charges stem from a March 16 residential fire.
The St. Joseph County Police Department originally responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 10000 block of Beatrice Street and spoke with Burns and another person involved in the incident, the department said in a press release. Burns left property, but returned later in the day to retrieve some personal items before leaving again, police said.
Around five minutes after Burns left the property the second time, a witness reported smoke and flames coming from the residence, the department said. Police didn’t say who owned the home or provide further details regarding the domestic call and deferred The Tribune to the prosecutor’s office for further information.
Through an investigation by county police’s detective bureau and the Indiana State Fire Marshal, investigators determined the fire was set intentionally and ruled it as arson, county police said. Investigators also accused Burns of possibly having stolen items from the home, police said.
Burns was booked into the St. Joseph County Jail on April 23. The prosecution asked that Burns be issued a no contact order with the occupant of the home.
“No contact orders are routinely requested and granted for any case with a victim, and that can include a store school or business as well,” the prosecutor’s office said by email.
This article will be updated when more information is made available.
Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mishawaka woman charged with arson after Osceola domestic complaint