RAPID CITY, SD — Following Monday afternoon’s structure fire the Rapid City Police Department have made a statement saying that “During the joint investigation into the cause of the fire, police and RCFD fire investigators determined the fire was suspicious in nature”.
Police have not gone into detail about what exactly made this fire in particular suspect at this time, however following this suspicion, investigators were able to review surrounding security footage from the time of the incident, which “showed a tan colored SUV leave the residence as smoke could be observed coming from the house”. A search was conducted and the vehicle in question was found to belong to 54-year-old Amy Couture.
“A search warrant was obtained for Couture’s residence,” said Brendyn Medina in a statement from the RCPD, and “Couture was located inside her residence, and police noted the smell of gasoline coming from Couture’s person as she was detained”. Couture was arrested on a count of second degree arson (legally classified as intentional arson, without endangering others).
To see footage of RCFD units arriving on the scene of this fire, click here.
