Just after 6:30pm Sunday, Pasadena firefighters were called to a reported house fire in the 1400 block of Middle Park Street in Pasadena. They found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the house.
Witnesses reported seeing a female leave the scene right before the fire. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and notified the Arson Division.
Investigators with the Pasadena Fire Marshal's Office determined that a fire had been purposely set in one of the back bedrooms. They determined the person leaving the scene was either an ex-girlfriend or current girlfriend of the homeowner and were able to arrest the suspect a short time later.
Gennifer Simmons of Pasadena was arrested and charged with first degree arson of a habitation.
