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Background: News footage of the house in Chesterfield, Va. that was allegedly set on fire intentionally (WTVR). Inset: Alicia Newman (Chesterfield County Police).
Alicia Newman, aged 25, faces arson charges related to a destructive blaze at her grandmother’s residence in Chesterfield. The fire claimed the lives of 75-year-old Evelyn Newman and her sister, 78-year-old Hazel Johnson, who had lived together in the house for over three decades.
Local news outlet CBS affiliate WTVR reported that Alicia Newman was apprehended following an investigation that suggested the blaze was deliberately ignited.
The Chesterfield Fire and Rescue team arrived at the scene at 4:20 a.m. on Saturday, as reported by WTVR. Inside the burning home, they discovered Evelyn Newman and her sister Hazel Johnson, and both women were rushed to the hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries.
WTVR reported that Chesterfield Fire and Rescue responded to the home at 4:20 a.m. on Saturday. Inside the home, first responders found Evelyn Newman and Johnson and transported them to the hospital. Both sisters died from their injuries.
Willie Robertson was a cousin to both women. He told WTVR that Evelyn Newman had allowed her granddaughter and her children to live in the home until the grandmother and granddaughter had an argument. Alicia Newman, who reportedly does not have a permanent address, was asked to leave the home.
Robertson told WTVR that “Alicia’s the type of woman where something like this, she could easily do and not look back.” Alicia Newman has not been charged in connection with the deaths of her family members, but officials reportedly said that additional charges could be handed down as the investigation into the fire progresses.
Alicia Newman was booked into Chesterfield County Jail where she is being held without bond. Her arraignment was scheduled for Monday.