FORT WORTH, Texas — A 35-year-old woman has been charged with capital murder after an investigation into an apartment fire on Christmas Eve in Fort Worth that killed two people.
The Fort Worth Fire Department says Kristen Lewis was arrested after a joint investigation with the Fort Worth Police Department determined that the fire was intentionally set.
On Dec. 24 just before 8 p.m., firefighters responded to a fire at the Tides of Meadowbrook apartment building on the 600 block of King George Drive.
The fire was already fully involved when crews arrived on the scene, with large flames coming from the building.
Two people were trapped inside and had to be rescued. Despite pulling them out and attempting life-saving procedures, both were later pronounced dead.
One of the victims, Galisha Gaston, 28, died Dec. 24 at JPS and the second, Dwight Durham, 47, died on Dec. 27 at Parkland, the Fort Worth Fire Department confirmed.
In all, 25 residents in the complex were displaced from their apartments.
It's unclear what led investigators to Lewis and they have not released information on a motive. Lewis was arrested at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 5 and is facing charges of capital murder and arson.
"Arson is a crime of opportunity that is frequently used for threats and intimidation," stated Fire Chief James Davis. "In Fort Worth, if you use fire as a weapon, we will aggressively investigate and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."
The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office also collaborated on the investigation of this case.