Chattanooga firefighters and fire investigators were called to a reported domestic disturbance around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, at a duplex at 1724-B Wilson Street.
Eyewitnesses told firefighters that a woman poured gasoline on the porch of the duplex and one side of it, then set it on fire and left. An unidentified passerby on a bicycle reportedly stopped and put the fire out on the porch. The fire on the side of the duplex apparently went out on its own. The fire damage to the duplex was minimal and no injuries were reported.
Captain Anthony Moore with the Fire Investigation Division said they figured out pretty quickly who might be the culprit and asked Chattanooga Police for help in finding her. A few hours later, Chattanooga police spotted the suspect driving her car. The police officer pulled her over, took her into custody and took her to Captain Moore for questioning. Jacquese Duckett, 35, said she got into an altercation with her boyfriend Wednesday morning at the duplex on Wilson Street, but denied setting the fire.
Captain Moore charged Ms. Duckett with aggravated arson, because lives were endangered in the duplex, and had her transported to the county jail for booking. Lt. Andrew Waters assisted with the investigation and arrest.
photo by Brent McDonald, NewsChannel 9