Eastman woman arrested after intentionally setting apartment fire

Eastman police and fire departments responded to the complex around 7 p.m. September 13 after reports of an apartment fire.

EASTMAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A woman was arrested after authorities say she intentionally set a fire that damaged an entire building at the Eastman Garden Apartments on Saturday evening, according to the Eastman Police Department.

Eastman police and fire departments responded to the complex around 7 p.m. September 13 after reports of an apartment fire. When crews arrived, they found one building engulfed in flames.

Dodge County Fire Services and the Dodge State Prison fire team were called in for mutual aid. Dodge County EMS also responded.

Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Eastman Police Department determined the fire was deliberately set by Laurie Howell, a resident of the apartment complex.

Howell was charged with first-degree arson, second-degree criminal damage to property and two counts of aggravated assault. Police said she was located and arrested shortly after the incident.