Twila Zentz

PIERCETON — A Pierceton woman started a fire in a Pierceton home  after an argument with the homeowner.

Twila Dawn Zentz, 51, 9567 East Adams Road, Pierceton, is being charged with count I arson, a level 6 felony, and count II criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Dec. 3, officers and the Pierceton Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at a residence. The fire department removed a female, later identified as Zentz, from inside the residence. Zentz had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The Pierceton Fire Department advised they found the fire was started in the kitchen sink area and appeared to be arson. Phone books, miscellaneous papers, a hammer, vehicle titles and pieces of a broken tail light had been set on fire in the kitchen sink.

Outside the residence, an officer observed broken glass and damaged guitars. A red Pontiac Firebird with a broken windshield and tailgate was also outside the residence.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, while the officer was at the residence, the homeowner arrived. The homeowner told the officer he had left the residence around 2 a.m. on Dec. 3, because of an altercation with Zentz. He told the officer he had a security system with security footage showing who started the fire.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the footage clearly showed Zentz starting the fire in the kitchen sink with a candle.

Zentz admitted to police she had started the fire in the kitchen but had extinguished it. She stated she had destroyed property because she had been angry with the homeowner.

Zentz was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 3, on a bond of $15,250 surety and cash.