Loukesha Smith, who is charged in connection with a fire at an apartment building, will appear in court Monday afternoon.
Smith, 37, faces one count of arson in connection with a fire that destroyed an apartment building on Lockridge Avenue.
According to court documents, detectives talked to a witness who stated he had just recently met the suspect who was spending the night with him. According to the witness, the suspect was flicking a red lighter and passing the flame along his feet when he told her to stop.
The witness told investigators after he told the suspect to stop flicking the lighter, she became agitated and allegedly threatened to burn the place down.
According to court documents, the witness said he then saw flames coming from the end of the bed and attempted to put out the fire with water but was unsuccessful.
The witness said he attempted to drag the mattress to the back door of the apartment, and when he opened the door and the air hit the mattress it erupted in flames.
Court documents state detectives also talked to the suspect who stated the fire was started by accident. Smith stated she was attempting to light a cigarette soaked with PCP when the bed caught on fire.
Family of Smith: She is innocent
Family members of Smith believe she is innocent and would never intentionally set a fire.
"A lot of guys are after her. She does her thing," explained Smith's grandmother, Cecelia Tucker. "But as far as burning something or setting something on fire, I don't believe that."
Family and friends of Smith said she is a mother of six children.
"She would do a lot of things but she would never do anything like that [arson]," James Fowler, a family friend, said. "She's got kids and family."
"I don't want to talk to her," said Tucker. "I'm upset with her."
Several people close to Loukesha Smith have given different accounts of what they believe happened inside the apartment, however, all accounts involved a group hanging out together doing drugs and a fire starting accidentally.
Smith will have her preliminary hearing on Jan. 28.
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