An April house explosion that rocked Richmond’s Randolph Street, injured six people and damaged multiple homes has now led to serious arson charges against a 25-year-old woman, according to newly public court documents.
Prosecutors say Autumn Reed is accused of dousing a Richmond home in gasoline and setting it on fire on April 17, triggering an explosion that spread flames to neighboring houses. The blast and resulting fire are blamed for about $150,000 in property damage and injuries to six people, including a 7-month-old and a 2-year-old. Reed and a man were airlifted to a burn center with severe injuries, three other people were taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation, and one person was treated at the scene.
According to investigators, the fire was classified as incendiary in origin, and they reported smelling gasoline on a victim’s clothing, as reported by FOX59. The case, which has been under investigation for months, moved forward after detailed investigative records were filed in Wayne County and reviewed by prosecutors.
Court documents outline a chaotic and frightening scene inside the Randolph Street home. Investigators say Reed allegedly woke a man who lived there, then poured gasoline through rooms in the house before igniting a source that led to a violent explosion. The force of the blast reportedly threw one resident backward into a bathroom area. The filings state that Reed told officers she was angry at a family member of that man and later gave a detailed admission. Those same documents note that she also showed remorse. Investigators report that three houses on the block were ultimately affected by the fire and explosion.
Charges and court schedule
Prosecutors have charged Reed with one count of arson resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 2 felony, and four counts of arson resulting in bodily injury, each a Level 3 felony. Court paperwork shows a $3,000 cash bond was set for Reed, along with a promise-to-appear document scheduled for July 13. The case remains under active investigation, and additional public filings are expected as the Wayne County process moves ahead, according to FOX59.
What the charges mean in Indiana
Under Indiana law, arson that results in serious bodily injury is treated as a higher-level felony than arson that only involves property damage. Level 2 felonies generally carry fixed prison terms that are substantially longer than those for Level 3 felonies. At sentencing, prosecutors and judges weigh factors such as the number of charges and the severity of the victims’ injuries. For the statutory language and sentencing ranges, the relevant provisions appear in the state’s arson code and related sections of the Indiana Code.
Neighbors, impact and next steps
The April explosion displaced families and brought out a heavy emergency response to Randolph Street. Investigators say roughly $150,000 in damage was done and three nearby houses were affected. With Reed’s promise-to-appear set for July 13, that court date will serve as the next public milestone in the case while the prosecutor’s office and investigators continue their work. Officials say the investigation remains ongoing, and the community is still dealing with the aftermath of injuries to two infants and several adults.
