Christmas Day arson fire displaces 6 from Merced apartments. Arrest made, police say
A 42-year-old Merced woman with what police described as a lengthy criminal history landed in jail Christmas Day after investigators said she tried to torch an apartment complex near Park Avenue.
A total of six people were displaced in the mid-morning fire, which damaged four homes at the Swiss Colony apartment complex. Nobody was injured, firefighters confirmed.
Police arrested Kristi Shepherd shortly after the fire started, according to Merced Police Sgt. Emily Foster.
“We arrest her regularly for trespassing, and she had at least one arrest for arson,” Foster said.
Shepherd also had previously been caught trespassing at the apartment complex, she added.
Investigators spotted Shepherd a few blocks from the scene. She was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of arson.
Police did not comment on a motive for the suspected arson.
Firefighters rushed to the scene at 10:18 a.m. and extinguished the flames within 30 minutes, Battalion Chief Mickey Brunelli said.
Most of the fire was contained to the downstairs apartment unit where it is believed to have started, Brunelli said. The incident caused moderate damage to three upstairs and surrounding units as well.
Total damage came to $50,000, according to a Merced Police Department news release.
Investigators discovered “suspicious circumstances,” Brunelli. He did not elaborate.
The neighboring apartments were evacuated. The Red Cross assisted with housing for the displaced families in the surrounding apartments.
The Merced Police Department is asking anyone with further information to call 209-385-6912 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at 209-385-4725. Anonymous texts can be sent at “TIP411” (847411) by including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.
This story was originally published December 25, 2019 at 1:17 PM.
