Background: News footage of the house in Chesterfield, Va. that was allegedly set on fire intentionally (WTVR). Inset: Alicia Newman (Chesterfield County Police).
Evelyn Newman had been residing in the house for over three decades with her sister, 78-year-old Hazel Johnson. Sadly, both women lost their lives after the fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to WTVR, a local CBS affiliate, Alicia Newman was apprehended after investigators concluded the fire was deliberately ignited. The Chesterfield Fire and Rescue team responded to the emergency call at approximately 4:20 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered both Evelyn and Hazel inside the home and rushed them to the hospital, but the sisters succumbed to their injuries.
Family member Willie Robertson, a cousin to the sisters, shared with WTVR that Evelyn had allowed her granddaughter, Alicia, and her children to stay with her. However, a disagreement between Evelyn and Alicia led to the young woman being asked to vacate the premises. Alicia Newman reportedly did not have a permanent residence at the time of the incident.
WTVR reported that Chesterfield Fire and Rescue responded to the home at 4:20 a.m. on Saturday. Inside the home, first responders found Evelyn Newman and Johnson and transported them to the hospital. Both sisters died from their injuries.
Willie Robertson was a cousin to both women. He told WTVR that Evelyn Newman had allowed her granddaughter and her children to live in the home until the grandmother and granddaughter had an argument. Alicia Newman, who reportedly does not have a permanent address, was asked to leave the home.
Robertson told WTVR that “Alicia’s the type of woman where something like this, she could easily do and not look back.” Alicia Newman has not been charged in connection with the deaths of her family members, but officials reportedly said that additional charges could be handed down as the investigation into the fire progresses.
Alicia Newman was booked into Chesterfield County Jail where she is being held without bond. Her arraignment was scheduled for Monday.
