Woman charged with arson in afternoon house fire

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga investigators charge a woman with arson shortly after a fire this afternoon in the Rossville Boulevard area.

Firefighters were called to a fire just after 3 PM.

They followed a huge plume of smoke to the scene, then found flames shooting out of both ends of the house.

Crews tried to fight it from inside, but it was just too hot.

So they poured water on from outside and kept it from spreading to homes next door.

Afterwards, fire investigators say 45 year old Theresa Umbreit confessed to setting the blaze.

She said she had just had a fight with her husband.

Officials estimate the loss at $70,000 plus $20,000 for the contents.

by Bruce Garner