A Christmas Eve blaze that claimed two lives and rendered dozens homeless in Fort Worth has led to the arrest of a 35-year-old woman on capital murder and arson charges. Investigators surmised that Kristen Lewis intentionally started the fire at the Tides at Meadowbrook Apartment Complex on King George Drive. The incident disrupted the festive season for many and sent shockwaves through the community, according to FOX 4 News.
In a desperate attempt to escape the inferno, one individual managed to jump from a third-story window, while others were not as fortunate. Among the deceased was 47-year-old Dwight Durham, known affectionately as Shawn, who was in the process of seeking shelter and attempting to rebuild his life, according to Deshanna Dukes. Dukes, the mother to three of Durham's five children, described the tragedy as heart-wrenching and unforgettable, especially during a time of year synonymous with family and togetherness, per FOX 4 News.
The fire not only snuffed out two lives but also left 25 people without a home on Christmas. "They have all these different belongings, getting ready to celebrate, and then you have someone who comes along and does an act like this and everybody loses everything overnight," Fort Worth FD PIO Craig Trojacek said. Lewis, who fled following the altercation that preceded the blaze, was apprehended and charged with the devastating crime, as per FOX 4 News.
Fire Chief James Davis made it abundantly clear that arson, used here as a seemingly vengeful act, would not be tolerated and promised vehement prosecution. "Arson is a crime of opportunity that is frequently used for threats and intimidation," Davis stated, adding, "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 investigation, which led to Lewis's arrest on Friday around 10:30 a.m., is a result of a joint effort between the Fort Worth FD Arson Unit and Fort Worth PD Homicide. While details surrounding the relationship between Lewis and the two victims remain unknown, the impact of this tragedy on the Fort Worth community is palpable, according to CBS News.
