Waynesburg woman charged with arson
Waynesburg police arrested a woman accused of setting fire to a house last week.
Christina Lynn Shriver, 34, of Waynesburg, faces felony charges of arson, aggravated arson, reckless burning and risking catastrophe.
Emergency crews were called to 177 S. Morgan St. at about 1 p.m. May 2. Police describe the home as divided into two sections with each side separated by a door that is screwed shut. The fire began in Shriver’s side of the home, and the state police fire marshal determined it was arson, court documents state. According to the criminal complaint, there were no electrical outlets near where the fire started.
Police interviewed Shriver the following day and she claimed she had been traveling to Washington when she learned of the fire. However, security footage shows Shriver walking out the front door and smoke pouring out a window less than two minutes later, according to the complaint.
James Ellis, who lives on the other side of the home, was able to escape uninjured. He told police that Shriver was aware he was home because they briefly spoke before the fire started.
Shriver was arraigned Tuesday night before District Judge David Balint, who sent her to the Greene County jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 9.