SUFFOLK, Va. — An elderly woman is facing multiple charges including arson after authorities said she admitted to starting a fire at an assisted living facility in Suffolk.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue said it happened around 1:30 p.m. Monday in the 2500 block of E. Washington Street. When crews got to the scene, they found the facility had evacuated and smoke was coming from the building.
Fire crews found the fire was intentionally set to a curtain and a couch in the recreational room of the building.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue said Deborah Fletcher, 70, admitted to setting the fire. A press release shows Fletcher was charged with arson in addition to the destruction of property, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She was being held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
Smoke had to be removed from the recreational area, the dining room and two residential halls.
No one was hurt.
The Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating.
