WEST MONROE, La. (ENN) -- A Louisiana woman from West Monroe is being charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to a mobile home with two people inside, authorities say.
Claice J. Harris was arrested Saturday and charged with Aggravated Arson in connection with an incident on Feb. 6.
Authorities said the Ouachita Parish Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the 3800 block of New Natchitoches Road in West Monroe on Feb. 6. Upon arrival, authorities observed smoke coming from the corner of the mobile home and an occupant spraying a water hose under the home.
Court documents show officials confirmed that a strong odor of gasoline was coming from between the corner of the mobile home and the back door. Officials located a gas can and a gas-soaked cloth in the area.
Authorities said officials collected samples of burned debris in the area where the fire originated and submitted the sample to the Northeast Louisiana Crime Lab for testing of the contents for ignitable liquids.
The male occupant told investigators that he was awakened when his guest stated that they smelled gas, according to court documents describing their conversation with the authorities. Twenty minutes before they smelled gas, the male occupant also discovered that his guest had seen a flashlight moving around outside the house.
The male resident left the house after seeing a smokey haze inside and discovered the fire. Investigators learned that earlier that night, the male resident had several disagreements with Harris. The male resident informed Harris via text that she was not welcome to return to his property and that he had moved her possessions outside of the house.
Authorities discovered that the fire was deliberately started after gathering more information, and they made an arrest. Her bond was set for $30,500.