by Peter Bodley
Managing editor

A woman was booked and released at the Anoka County Jail Nov. 13 following an arson fire at a Coon Rapids residence.

The woman, 49, arrested on a probable cause, first-degree arson charge, lived at the townhome on the 1800 block of 113th Lane N.W., with her sister, 47.

A 911 call was made shortly before 6 p.m. by the younger sister from the nearby Angel’s Food Mart about smoke from an unknown source in the townhome.

Arriving police found the suspect sitting on the front doorstep holding a cat, her sister in the garage and smoke coming from both the patio and front doors.

Officers evacuated the townhome immediately to  the west, but there was no one at the townhome to the east.

According to the Coon Rapids Police report, there were black soot rings on the nose and mouth of the suspect.

Firefighters entered the townhome through the garage into the laundry room where they found light smoke and an activated basement smoke detector, but there was moderate to heavy smoke up the stairs, the fire department run report states.

Flames were found in a southeast bedroom with heavy smoke.

The fire was knocked down and a check of the attic showed no extension of the blaze.

Damage to property and contents was estimated at $30,000.

In a statement to Fire Marshal Todd Williams, the suspect alleged that she might have left two candles lit in the bedroom.

The suspect was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation before being transported to the Anoka County Jail.

Peter Bodley is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it