Hilo Woman Charged With Arson

A 37-year-old Hilo woman was charged for arson stemming from a March 25 fire at a residence.

Ashley Nicole Turner was arrested and charged with first-degree arson, a class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Turner is scheduled to appear in Hilo District Court today, Monday, March 28. She remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

The Hawai‘i Police Department stated in a news release that shortly after 2:30 p.m. that day, South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a reported structure fire on Ohana Place in Hilo. Upon arrival, the residence was fully engulfed. Fire department personnel extinguished the fire and determined that no one was injured.

Witnesses at the scene reported that a woman, later identified as Turner, who had previously resided at the residence, was seen leaving the house as the fire broke out. She was located a short time later down the street near Hau Lane, where she was arrested.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene to continue the investigation. Fire investigators estimated the damage to the residence at approximately $80,000.