Officials aren’t buying marshmallow roast as source in arson arrest
S’more to it than that, they say
TEXARKANA, Texas — A woman charged with arson allegedly claimed she was toasting marshmallows when a Texarkana, Texas, house caught on fire earlier this year.
Melanie Raine Hester, 37, is accused of setting fire to a residence in the 1600 block of W. 16th Street at about 5 p.m. Jan. 16, according to a probable cause affidavit. When Texarkana, Texas, firefighters arrived, they found the single-story, wood-frame house ablaze on both the east and west sides.
Hester was allegedly observed at the scene and questioned by Texarkana, Texas, police. Hester allegedly told an officer that she started a small fire outside the house on the east side with a lighter and lighter fluid to roast marshmallows to serve on graham crackers for some children.
Hester allegedly claimed that a flaming marshmallow caught the east side of the structure on fire. Hester allegedly had no explanation for how the west side of the residence caught on fire.
Officers noted that there was no evidence of marshmallows, graham crackers or children in the area.
The owner of the home told officers Hester, whom he knows through her mother, called him asking for food and a place to spend a few hours. The man said he bought Hester some pizza and that after the two of them ate, Hester helped him with some house cleaning.
The man reported that he woke from a nap to find the house on fire. Hester allegedly asked the homeowner not to call police.
Hester is currently being held in the Bowie County jail with bail set at $150,000. If convicted of arson, she faces five to 99 years or life in prison.