No charges filed in apartment fire; investigation continues

Douglas County prosecutors did not file arson charges Thursday against a 49-year-old Lawrence woman who was arrested Wednesday night, as they wait for more information from investigators, District Attorney Charles Branson said.

The woman was arrested after a small fire that did no major damage Wednesday afternoon to an apartment in the 1500 block of Lynch Court, near Seventh and Florida streets.

Division Chief Eve Tolefree, a Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical spokeswoman, said a book was burned in the dwelling and that the investigation was still open. It was initially reported as a kitchen fire.

According to jail records, the woman was released on the arson arrest Thursday, but she was still being detained based on a hold by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Journal-World generally does not identify suspects unless they are formally charged.