On February 9, 2016, around 6:45 p.m., members from the Tucson Fire Department (TFD) responded to the 3400 block of East 28th Street in reference to a residential house fire. Officers from the Tucson Police Department were requested to assist as preliminary information advised a female had possibly intentionally set the fire.
Officers from Operations Division Midtown arrived on scene within minutes and located two citizens attempting to detain a female north of the residence, but still on the property. Officers took over for the citizens and the female continued to resist. She was holding small lighters in each hand. The officers gave multiple commands for the female to comply but she refused. One officer deployed a Taser and the other officers were eventually able to detain the female. She was transported to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Tucson Fire Department extinguished the fire. No other injuries or damages were reported.
Detectives from the Arson Unit and the TFD Fire Investigations Unit responded to continue the investigation. It appears the fire was intentionally set and began inside the residence. The female had been inside the residence and when she exited, she attempted to burn other items in the yard prior to the intervention by the two citizens. The female has been identified as one of the residents, 40-year-old Sabrina Phillips. Ms. Phillips was arrested on felony charges of Arson of an Occupied Structure, Criminal Damage and Aggravated Assault. She will be transported and booked into the Pima County Jail upon her release from the hospital.