Chattanooga Woman Arrested for Arson After Fires Erupt in Ex-Boyfriend’s Apartment Following Breakup

Chattanooga Woman Arrested After Starting Fires in Ex-Boyfriend’s Apartment

In a bizarre turn of events that unfolded last Saturday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a 26-year-old woman found herself behind bars after allegedly starting two fires in her ex-boyfriend’s apartment. The incident, which transpired on November 20th, has left the community scratching their heads and wondering how things escalated so quickly.

It All Started with a Breakup

According to police reports, the drama began when the woman, identified as Rebeka Wilson, was at the apartment of a man she had recently been seeing. The man, feeling it was time to end their relationship, asked Wilson to leave. Sounds simple, right? However, things took a sharp turn when he offered to help her move her personal belongings to her car.

Once outside, Wilson and the man chatted for a while, but when he mentioned he needed to go back inside to grab something, Wilson reportedly insisted, saying, “no, just come on and go.” Yet, undeterred by her pleadings, he returned into his apartment, only to be hit with a wall of smoke as soon as he opened the door. What he found inside was shocking: a hoodie hanging on his bedroom door was ablaze!

Quick Action Saves the Day

Acting quickly, the man snatched the smoldering hoodie off the door and extinguished the flames. But the story didn’t end there. As he began to assess the situation, he noticed a significant amount of smoke lingering in his home. Alarmed, he dashed back downstairs to confront Wilson. However, she was nowhere to be found.

Firefighters to the Rescue!

Meanwhile, as the man tried to piece together what had happened, a second fire was silently growing in his bedroom closet. Luckily, this flame triggered the apartment’s sprinkler system, which prevented a larger disaster from occurring. Firefighters were quick to respond, arriving on the scene and containing the smoldering fire before it could spread any further.

The Investigation

The police report highlights a key detail: both fires “neither had a competent source of ignition except for human involvement.” With Wilson being in the apartment just moments before the fires broke out, investigators had enough reason to conclude that she was involved in the incendiary incidents.

Charges Filed

Following their investigation, police didn’t waste any time in charging Wilson with aggravated arson. This charge underscores the serious nature of the fires and the risks she posed not just to the man’s property but potentially to surrounding residents as well.

Community Reaction

The Chattanooga community has been left astonished by the incident. Many residents are expressing disbelief that something so dramatic could happen in their neighborhood. “It’s hard to believe someone would do something like that,” said a local resident, echoing the sentiments of others who were shocked by the news.

Moving Forward

As the legal proceedings unfold, the man is likely feeling a mix of relief mixed with lingering questions. He may be grateful that the situation didn’t spiral out of control, but who would have thought a simple breakup could lead to such chaotic consequences?

The story of Rebeka Wilson serves as a reminder of how quickly relationships can turn sour. While many will hope for a peaceful resolution, it’s clear that this will not be the last time we hear about this incident in the days to come.