Police: Woman charged for intentionally setting fire to home after being evicted in Pittsburgh’s Garfield
By Caitlyn Scott
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PITTSBURGH (WTAE) — Charges have been filed after police said a woman, who was in the process of being evicted, intentionally set fire to the home she was staying in as she retrieved her belongings in Pittsburgh Wednesday.
Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said at 11:40 a.m., police were called to the 5300 block of Mossfield Street in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood for a reported break-in.
The property owner reported to officers that a 48-year-old woman, who was in the process of being evicted, had entered the residence to retrieve her belongings.
A state constable had served the eviction notice and stayed on the scene as the woman went inside the home to get her belongings, officials said.
An hour later, fire officials were called to the home after a passerby reported smoke coming from a second-story window.
As the state constable entered the home to check the property, the woman left the scene in her vehicle. Upon entering the bedroom, the constable encountered heavy smoke.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was declared under control by approximately 1:30 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
The city’s fire investigation unit determined the fire was intentionally set by the woman who was being evicted.
The woman, later identified in a criminal complaint as Keila Fiqueroa, was taken into custody after being found at the intersection of East Liberty Boulevard and North Highland Avenue.
According to the criminal complaint, Fiqueroa caused damage to the second-story bedroom and an AC unit in the window. The estimated cost for the damage totaled roughly $80,000.
Fiqueroa faces multiple charges, including arson and criminal mischief.
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