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Woman accused of arson after fire guts home near Ash Fork

Posted at 5:17 AM, Sep 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-14 08:47:15-04

Authorities say a woman has been accused of arson after a fire destroyed a home near Ash Fork.

Yavapai County Sheriff's officials say 44-year-old Irene Hillard remains jailed on a $250,000 bond.

She's being held on suspicion of arson of an occupied structure and property damage.

Detectives from the sheriff's criminal investigations bureau investigated the suspicious fire Saturday night.

They learned Hillard had been staying at the house with the owner, who was away on business last weekend.

Authorities say the homeowner had problems with Hillard in recent weeks.

Hillard allegedly was seen walking out of the home as flames became visible from a bedroom where a pile of paper and picture frames were burning.

Authorities say the home with an estimated value of $120,000 was a total loss.