Flames in Closet, Moorhead Woman Charged

A woman set fire to a closet inside her Moorhead apartment and ran from the building after declaring she was “burning this b**** down,” according to the complaint.

Samantha Ann Johnson, 41, faces charges of attempted first-degree arson for allegedly starting a fire in a building while knowing a person was present, and fourth-degree arson for setting a fire in a multi-unit residential building.

Police were dispatched to an apartment complex in Moorhead at about 5 p.m. on August 26 after a report of a structure fire. The complaint states that Johnson, a tenant at the complex, had started a fire inside her apartment and then left the building.

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Officers spoke with a man in the apartment who said he heard Johnson say she was “burning this b**** down” before she ran out. He then saw a large fire in the closet with flames climbing and used a fire extinguisher to put it out. He told police that another five minutes would have resulted in significant damage. He did not know how the fire was started but believed it was likely with a lighter.

Police also interviewed a woman who said she had lived with Johnson and had recently returned to the apartment. She told police that Johnson gave her two minutes to leave because Johnson was going to start the place on fire. Shortly after, Johnson said she had set her closet on fire and told the witness to leave immediately.

The original complainant, who works at the apartment complex, told police she heard noises coming from the apartment and saw Johnson rush out saying, “I set this b*tch on fire.” The complainant then smelled smoke and realized there was a fire.

Fire personnel used five gallons of extinguisher material and water from the bathroom to fully extinguish the fire. The complaint states that the fire burned clothing items inside the closet, but there was no visible damage to the closet structure or ceiling due to the quick response from the man and fire personnel.

The charges were filed October 13 in Clay County District Court.