September 19, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2007-66) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE INVESTIGATORS MAKE ARREST REFERENCE HOUSE FIRE Mobile fire investigators arrested 46 year old Nona Denise Caster reference a house fire that occurred at 2956 Northwest Drive. The fire was reported at approximately 1:53 a.m. Sunday, September 16. Caster was questioned by fire investigators when she confessed to setting the bed on fire in which her estranged husband was sleeping. Caster is being charged with Arson 1st. When firefighters arrived on the scene they reported smoke and fire coming from a window near the northwest corner of the single story, wood frame structure. Firefighters entered the structure and discovered the fire in bedroom. As firefighters were fighting the fire Mrs. Caster attempted multiple times to re-enter the structure. Firefighters warned her to stay at the curb until firefighting operations were conclude but she refused to heed their warnings. Mobile Police was forced to arrest her because she would not heed to warnings. According to Caster’s husband, Byron M. Caster, 49, he and his wife were getting a divorce. Mr. Caster told fire investigators he had been out and was called by his estranged wife to come home because she needed to talk to him. Mr. Caster advised investigators that “after having words” with Mrs. Caster he got into bed and to watch TV. At that time Mrs. Caster threatened to “burn down his boat shed in the back yard”. Moments later he discovered the foot of the bed on fire. The fire caused an estimated $70 thousand in damage. No injuries were reported. Engines 12, 14, 15, truck 10, rescue 14 and District 3 Chief Doug Cooper responded. ###