Texas Woman Says God Told Her to Set Fire

Jan. 15--Arson charges are pending against a woman investigators believe was trying to follow what she thought was God's will when she set a fire to her west Lubbock apartment Tuesday morning.

Cynthia Lynn Parchman was arrested on charges of attempted assault of a police officer and resisting arrest following the fire about 5:30 a.m. in the Aspen Village Apartment Complex in the 5400 block of 50th Street.

"A witness said she was saying God had told her to set fire to it," Loveless said.

Loveless said the blaze was contained mostly to a hallway in Parchman's first-floor apartment, though there was smoke damage throughout the unit. No other units were damaged.

"Firefighters did a great job of getting it controlled quickly," he said. "There's still a good amount of evidence."

Loveless declined to comment on evidence found in the apartment or how the blaze started, but added: "It appears to have been started intentionally."

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Loveless said first responders arrived to find an ongoing confrontation between Parchman and other residents during the fire.

The Lubbock police sergeant's desk also confirmed one person was arrested during the fire, according to the Lubbock police sergeant's desk.

Fire marshals continued investigating the blaze Tuesday and Loveless expected to release more information late Tuesday.

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