A woman rescued from a mobile home fire north of La Center on Tuesday night intentionally set the fire, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Cindy Jo Clem, 50, was distraught over a recent break-up and called her former live-in boyfriend to say she had lit their home on fire and made threats to perish in the fire, the sheriff’s office said.
Her former boyfriend called 911, sending deputies and firefighters with Clark County Fire & Rescue to the blaze at the double wide mobile home, 4517 N.E. 372nd St., just before 9:30 p.m., according to authorities.
Deputy Eric Cramer was the first on scene, where he observed smoke coming from the eaves and doorways. Cramer breached the door and heard a woman’s voice inside, the sheriff’s office said.
He was unable to enter because of the billowing smoke, but was able to let firefighters know about the situation.
“He had heard someone inside the house and identified the part of the house where he thought they were,” said Tim Dawdy, spokesman for Clark County Fire & Rescue. “He really helped us a lot.”
Firefighters quickly went inside the home, which was full of thick smoke, and rescued Clem, who was semiconscious on the floor, Dawdy said.
She was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Dawdy said.
Crews then doused the flames, which were contained to the master bedroom of the home, he said. A water tender from Clark County Fire District 10 assisted at the scene.
Once medically cleared, Clem will be taken to the Clark County Jail to await a charge of first-degree arson, the sheriff’s office said.
