Just after 8:30 PM on July 5th, deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of N Cottonwood Lane, Paulden, Arizona, regarding a mobile home fully engulfed in fire. A neighbor initially reported the fire. Fortunately, the residents were not home at the time but did arrive shortly after the deputies began their investigation. The residents indicated they had been away since noon until hearing of the fire.
Neighbors in the vicinity told deputies they saw an unidentified female enter and leave the mobile home on at least two occasions after the residents had departed. The last time she seen by the neighbors was within an hour of a visible fire in the home. After noticing the fire, neighbors called 911 and then saw the same female pass by the burning home and make a gesture indicating satisfaction with the fire’s progress in damaging the home.
When the residents heard a description of the suspicious female, they identified her by name as Alicia Webb, an ex-acquaintance of one of the family members. She was eventually located near Highway 89 in Paulden and detained. Webb admitted to the arson saying she lit clothes on fire inside the home because she was “angry,” but would not elaborate. The disposable lighter Webb used was located in her possession. Investigation remains active to determined specific motivation for her actions.