Woman Arrested for Arson in 2009 Fire

A 50-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of first-degree arson and insurance fraud after an investigation into a fire on Shoreham Terrace in Fairfield in November 2009.

Police said Jamie Phillips, of unknown address, was arrested based on evidence at the scene and contradictory statements she gave to police. She was held in lieu of $5,000 bond and appeared Tuesday in Bridgeport Superior Court, police said.

Phillips was renting an apartment on Shoreham Terrace when a fire broke out in the kitchen on Nov. 27, 2009, police said. Investigators found the remains of a candle jar and rag and determined that the rag was lit by the candle to start the fire, police said. The fire caused damage to walls, a cabinet and a ceiling, police said.

Part of Phillips' conflicting statements included saying she saw smoke coming out the windows of the apartment when arriving firefighters found all the windows closed and intact, police said. Phillips also at first denied involvement in the fire and then said it could have been an accident, police said.

Phillips was arrested at 6:13 a.m. Tuesday, police said.