Tampa Fire Rescue spokesperson, Lonnie Benniefield, said a homeless woman was arrested in connection with a fire that erupted at a home in Tampa Heights on April 18th.

Veronica Shelby, 26, was arrested in connection with the house fire on 105 E. Oleander Street and is facing a charge of first degree arson.

Shelby was arrested at the corner of Columbus Drive and East Jefferson at 5:30 p.m. She is being held without bond. The house that was set on fire is a homeless shelter for battered women operated by Homeless Helping Homeless, Incorporated.

According to the facility’s Finance Director, Tony, Shelby had been living at the house on Oleander for two months. “We have strict policies on people getting along with each other, and we don’t tolerate residents being threatened.

“Shelby had gotten into a dispute with four women at the shelter over a pack of cigarettes. She threatened them, and we told her she had to leave. As she left, she looked back at the women and said she’s make sure they didn’t have a place to live anymore.”

Tampa Fire Rescue units responded to a house fire after receiving a call at 1:39 p. m. It took fire crews 5 minutes to get e fire under control. The fire was contained to the kitchen area of the house and no injuries were reported.

Fire investigators ruled the fire to be arson.