Tragedy Strikes: Woman Charged with Arson After Sober Living Home Blaze Injures Two

A dramatic early morning incident in Springfield left residents of a sober living home scrambling for safety as a fire engulfed the facility. The blaze, which occurred at the intersection of State and Edwards Streets, was reportedly set by a woman targeting her ex-boyfriend, who was staying at the home. The arson resulted in the arrest of the suspect and sent two individuals to the hospital.

According to Springfield’s Assistant Fire Chief, Julie Plunk, firefighters were dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:40 a.m., where they encountered intense smoke and flames emanating from the three-story structure. The sober living facility was home to six individuals at the time of the fire, creating a chaotic situation as residents were forced to make perilous escapes, including leaping from the second floor.

Springfield Police reported that two occupants were hospitalized, suffering from smoke inhalation and injuries related to their hurried evacuation. Fortunately, their conditions are not life-threatening, and they are expected to recover. Meanwhile, the fire wreaked havoc on the building, inflicting an estimated $100,000 in damages and displacing several residents.

This incident underscores the precarious nature of life at such facilities, where residents seeking stability and recovery are instead confronted with unexpected dangers. The community is now left to rally together to support those affected by the fire and help them find temporary shelter and resources as they rebuild their lives.

“The investigation to the origin and cause of the fire found the fire had started on the outside of the house on the southeast corner on the rear porch,” police wrote in a probable cause statement. “There were no sources of ignition to the fire found in the area of origin. The only source of ignition would have come from a human act.”

Police described a domestic disturbance prior to the fire at the home, in which a woman was said to be “tearing things up outside.” Video footage recorded nearby showed a woman identified as 35-year-old Danielle Barkley, tearing out plants and going around the house several times.

“The last time Barkley was seen was at 6:32 a.m. heading West on Edwards,” police said. “She then reappears on the southwest corner of State and Edwards. She looks at the smoke coming from [the home] and takes off running south on State.”

Police later located Barkley and took her into custody. During a mirandized interview, Barkley is said to have told officers that she “made a bad choice” when she Ubered to the home and confronted her ex on the sidewalk in front of the home.

“Barkley admitted to tearing out the plants along the south side of the house. Barkley admitting to sitting on the back porch and smoking a cigarette,” police said. “She admitted that she was not allowed on the property. Barkley stated that she left and came back several times to confront [her ex].”

Barkley did not admit to setting the fire, but police said she admitted to failing to call 911 after seeing fire coming from the southeast corner of the house. She also admitted to having “the means to start a fire” on her person.

“Danielle Barkley was the only person in the area of the fire at the time of the fire. Barkley admitted to being in the area of origin of the fire moments before the fire occurred (confirmed by video surveillance),” police wrote. “The fire could have only occurred from a human act. Barkley admitted to seeing visible fire and not notifying anyone…therefore, Danielle Barkley is responsible for the ignition of the fire and the people that were injured from the fire.”

Sangamon County court records show Barkley is facing a single Class X felony count of aggravated arson. She appeared in court for the first time on Monday, where she was arraigned and denied pretrial release.

She is due to enter a plea during a preliminary hearing on July 2.

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Tragedy Strikes: Woman Charged with Arson After Sober Living Home Blaze Injures Two

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