A Jefferson City woman has been charged with arson after she allegedly set the house she was renting on fire earlier this month.
Sheila Kroeger, 57, was charged on July 15 with first-degree arson and second-degree arson in connection to a July 9 house fire on Union Street in Jefferson City, according to court documents.
Kroeger has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court records.
Kroeger said she was a tenant of the residence for more than 10 years and was home alone when the fire occurred, according to the probable cause statement.
The property owner told investigators there were ongoing issues with Kroeger involving nonpayment of rent and utilities and informed her earlier in the year of an impending eviction, according to the probable cause statement.
The owner also told investigators he notified Kroeger by text message around 6 p.m. on July 9 that the residence would be inspected that evening. The fire was reported around 6:37 p.m., according to the probable cause statement.
Investigators identified signs that the fire originated in two separate areas of the home, one in a bedroom and the other on the back porch, according to the probable cause statement. The fire patterns were consistent with a fire that was set intentionally, according to the probable cause statement.
The fire damaged a neighboring home that was occupied and a vehicle outside, according to court documents.
Kroeger is being held without bond at the Cole County Jail. A counsel status hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Cole County Courthouse.