A Crystal City woman whose Habitat for Humanity house was still burning this afternoon (July 30) while she watched from the street said authorities tiold her one of her relatives purposely started the blaze.
Amanda James, 57, said she had lived in the home at 209 Olive St. for about 15 years, ever since Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity completed the home and turned over the key to her. It was the second home built by the program; 19 more homes have been completed since then.
James said she was at work when contacted about the fire and rushed to the house.
“The police said (a relative) did it. They said he admitted it,” she said at 1 p.m. today, while watching firefighters shoot water into the house. “He’s bipolar and schizophrenic. I didn’t let him stay here last night and he was mad at me. I was told someone saw him come out of the house.”
Crystal City Fire Chief Tony Bova said Tuesday evening that the State Fire Marshal had determined the fire to be an arson.
Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis said the suspect was picked up by police this afternoon.
James said the house, where she lives alone, was unoccupied when she left for work in the morning, although she allows her grandchildren access so they can use a computer while she is away.
She said she did not yet know the extent of the fire damage, but believes severe damage had occurred inside the house.
“I don’t know where I’ll stay tonight,” she said. “I guess I’ll stay at my sister’s. I don’t know what I’m going to wear. All my clothes were in my bedroom.”
She said she was not sure if she had homeowner’s insurance, but a Habitat for Humanity spokeswoman said James’ monthly house payment includes home insurance coverage.
James helped build her house, as part of the “sweat equity” requirement that is central to the Habitat for Humanity program. The house was completed at the end of 1998.
Jefferson County Habitat office manager Marla Kral said the group has built most of its homes in Crystal City and De Soto, and two in Fenton.
Kral said this is the first time for destruction to strike a local Habitat home.
Bova said the house was "pretty much a total loss."
"A bedroom was gutted and the fire got into the rafters."
--Kim Robertson contributed information for this story.