A 68-year-old Kentucky woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly setting her apartment building on fire in a desperate act tied to her impending eviction.
Elizabeth H. Radmacher was arrested on March 14, charged with arson, wanton endangerment, and criminal mischief following the dangerous incident in northeast Louisville.
Arson and Endangerment at Louisville Apartment
According to the Louisville Metro Police Department, the fire was intentionally started in Radmacher’s bedroom around 3 a.m. that night. After setting the blaze, Radmacher left the building, prompting other residents to flee for their lives.
Authorities reported that Radmacher was heard saying, “I’m going to kill everybody,” as the fire grew and that someone else had allegedly made her set the fire.
The fire caused significant risk to other tenants in the building, including a family living directly above Radmacher’s unit. A total of eight residents were forced to evacuate. One person was hospitalized due to the fire, and the incident caused approximately $100,000 in damage to the building.
Fortunately, 29 firefighters from two departments were able to control the fire before it spread too far beyond Radmacher’s apartment. However, two tenants remain displaced due to smoke and fire damage.
Eviction and Fire-Setting Motive
Radmacher was in the process of being evicted when she allegedly set the fire. The act of arson was reportedly a response to her eviction, and her violent comments heightened the gravity of the situation.
Police charged Radmacher with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief, citing the serious risk to the family of three living above her and the others in the building.
Legal Proceedings
Radmacher is being held in the Louisville Metro Corrections with a $50,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 27.
