Woman injured in fatal Brooklyn fire is the suspected arsonist: NYPD
BED-STUY, Brooklyn (PIX11) — A woman who was injured in a fire in Brooklyn Friday night is suspected of starting the blaze herself, according to the NYPD.
The blaze killed 70-year-old Vetus Roberts, who lives at the Monroe Street home where the fire broke out, police said. The suspected arsonist, 65-year-old Jennifer Rochard, also lives at the Monroe Street building, police said.
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The fire broke out around 11:15 p.m. Friday and burned for around 40 minutes, according to the FDNY. Roberts was found unconscious in the bedroom of an apartment and pronounced dead on the scene, police said.
Rochard was transported to an area hospital after inhaling smoke, police said.
Now, Rochard faces murder and arson charges related to the flames, and she was arrested late Saturday evening.
The FDNY reported one other person was injured in the blaze.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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