04-02-2025
Woman accused of setting a fire in homeless camp
Waco, Tx (FOX 44) – A woman is being held on arson charges in connection with a fire at a homeless camp police say was set in a fit of jealousy.
The investigation began after Waco Fire Department units responded to a grass fire behind the Red Roof Inn in the 700 block of South Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard. An arrest affidavit stated the fire was burning in tall grass surrounding the homeless campsite at that location.
The affidavit state that as firefighters were still working to put the fire out, another call came into the 9-1-1 center tell the call taker that a person they thought had started the fire was located near Franklin Avenue and University Parks Drive. Officers responding to that location met with two people who pointed out Heather Simpson as a suspect. She was later contacted in a parking lot by the Alico Building.
After she was detained and read her Miranda rights, the affidavit stated she was at the park all day. She later said she was the only one near the tent and a small fire started and she could not put it out, but did not call 9-1-1.
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The affidavit stated that another person at Indian Spring Park who knows the suspect gave a statement saying the suspect told him she had started the fire because she saw her man with another woman.
The affidavit stated that because of inconsistencies in Simpson's story and witness statements, officers believed the tent was set on fire out of jealousy then attempted to put it out but was unable and fled the scene.
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