Two siblings are facing serious charges after a late-night fire on Columbus's west side injured a firefighter and tore through a duplex on Racine Avenue, according to court records. The blaze broke out in the 900 block of Racine in the early hours of Dec. 6, and a firefighter was hurt when a bathtub crashed through the second floor and pinned him as crews fought the flames. Prosecutors allege the fire was no accident; the brother is charged with aggravated arson, and his sister is accused of complicity in the crime.
Investigation and surveillance
Investigators reviewed court filings and concluded the blaze was intentionally set, according to WBNS. Neighborhood surveillance cameras reportedly captured a vehicle pulling up to the home just minutes before the fire, and someone can be seen going inside with a gasoline can, the filings state. The collapsing bathtub that injured the firefighter also slowed down search, rescue and overhaul efforts as crews tried to get control of the scene.
Video shows gas can and vehicle
Local coverage reports that a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis arrived about 20 minutes before the fire started, and video from a nearby Speedway shows a passenger, later identified as Jessie Bumgardner, filling a gas can before the car headed to the duplex, as reported by WCMH. Investigators linked the car to Trina Bumgardner through registration records and interviews, and the criminal complaint notes that someone matching her build was seen getting out of the vehicle near the home shortly before flames were visible.
Charges, bonds and court dates
Authorities have charged 29-year-old Jessie Bumgardner with aggravated arson. He was arrested in late January, has pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $250,000 bond, according to WBNS. His sister, 26-year-old Trina Bumgardner, was booked into the Franklin County jail on March 2 and arraigned March 3 in Franklin County Municipal Court on a complicity-with-aggravated-arson charge. Court records show she received a $500,000 bond and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, according to the filings.
What the charges mean
Under Ohio law, aggravated arson involves knowingly creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm or causing physical harm to an occupied structure, and certain violations are classified as first- or second-degree felonies (ORC 2909.02). Complicity, which is the charge against Trina, allows prosecutors to pursue someone who aids or abets an offense and to seek punishment as though that person committed the underlying crime directly (ORC 2923.03). Both cases remain active in Franklin County courts as investigators and prosecutors prepare for the next round of hearings.
