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West Jordan woman arrested on arson in connection with house fire, officials say

Posted at 3:12 PM, Jun 16, 2014
and last updated 2014-06-16 18:07:40-04

WEST JORDAN, Utah — A West Jordan woman was arrested on arson charges after starting a fire in a house while eight people were inside, according to the West Jordan Fire Department Monday afternoon.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, fire crews responded to a house fire at 1625 W. 9740 South where the found a bedroom and attached bathroom in flames.

Celee Flanigan Riches, 50, told fire officials that she fell asleep in bed while smoking a cigarette, according to a press release from West Jordan Fire.

During the course of the investigation, fire crews discovered evidence that Riches intentionally started the fire with eight people inside the home at the time, according to the release. One of the individuals included a young child.

Riches was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of first degree aggravated arson, eight counts of reckless endangerment and public intoxication.

West Jordan Police was called to the home prior to the fire on June 13 and 14.

Additional charges were filed against Riches, which stemmed from those incidents, according to the release. Those charges include domestic violence, domestic violence in the presence of a child and domestic criminal mischief.