Arrest made for Sunday morning fire

Published 12:16 pm Monday, September 20, 2021

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An arrest was made after an investigation of a fire Sunday morning that displaced nine.

Battalion Chief Chris Cornwell, Suffolk Fire Marshal, advises that following their investigation, an arrest has been made in Sunday morning’s residential apartment building structure fire.

Miesha Tierra Fenner, 28, of Suffolk, was arrested on charges including burning or destroying occupied dwelling and attempt to commit non-capital offense. Fenner was a resident of the apartment building. She is currently in custody at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

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Suffolk Fire & Rescue units responded to the fire in the 300 block of Wellons Street at 3:04 a.m., with Battalion 1, Engine 1, Engine 2 and Rescue 1 crews arriving to find heavy black smoke visible from the front door and flames visible from the rear of the large structure, according to Fire Chief Michael Barakey.

Inside, firefighters found heavy fire on the first floor of the two-story residential apartment building, with fire venting from the rear. Fire crews evacuated residents on the second floor, and the fire was under control by 3:38 a.m.

The fire has was ruled suspicious and the Fire Marshal’s office and Suffolk Police Department are investigating. Other responding units included Engines 3 and 4, Ladders 3 and 5, Medic 1, Rescue 6, EMS-1, Safety 1 and Fire Marshal 4 and 6.

The American Red Cross is helping the displaced residents.