Woman arrested in southwest Lincoln house fire that killed two cats

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A woman is accused of starting a fire in a southwest Lincoln house on Wednesday that killed two cats, court documents say.

Around 2 p.m., Lincoln Fire & Rescue responded to a fire at a home near Southwest 16th and West South streets.

Firefighters put out the blaze, which caused around $140,000 in damage.

Two cats were also found dead at the scene. Another cat was rescued, and one cat is missing.

Police said 31-year-old Mickayla Heston started the fire during a mental health crisis.

She first tried setting a Bible on fire, according to an arrest affidavit, but it didn’t work.

Heston then lit a bed sheet on fire in four different spots, the affidavit said.

Investigators found her with a lighter and a Bible with burn marks.

Heston was arrested Thursday on suspicion of second-degree arson.