BOSTON — A Boston woman was charged with arson after investigators said she started a fire in her home that sent one person to a hospital with smoke inhalation.
Nikea Rivera appeared in court Tuesday on arson charges, WFXT reported. She was arrested after the fire at her home on Mora Street, which started shortly after 11 a.m.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ken Hayden said Rivera admitted to starting the fire and told police that she did so because “that house is haunted.”
All companies working at 2nd alarm fire @ 74 Mora St Dorchester. The 3 story wood frame has fire on all floors. Several residents rescued pic.twitter.com/83hhRcGNJk
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) December 27, 2022
“The devil made me do it, there are ghosts in my house,” Rivera told booking officers, according to WFXT.
Firefighters rescued several people from the fire. They used ladders to rescue two people on the building’s second floor, one of whom was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation, WFXT reported.
Here’s the aftermath of the house fire at 74 Mora Street in Dorchester, where earlier today Nikea Rivera was arrested after commiting Arson. Crews are out here working hard getting the house boarded up. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/vDowZsAlJE
— James Cullity (@JCullityNews) December 28, 2022
“It’s fortunate that this woman’s actions did not result in any residents or responders being seriously injured or killed,” Hayden told WFXT. “Her statements are obviously disturbing and an immediate evaluation is the proper next step.”
A judge ordered Rivera to undergo a mental health evaluation, WFXT reported. Her next court date is in January.
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