Hunter
04/27/26
An Iowa City woman was arrested after allegedly starting a fire in her home.
Police say the incident occurred Sunday morning just before 5am at the Lucas Street residence of 20-year-old Cara Hanson. A resident in the second floor of the home called in the fire after hearing smoke alarms and said he was unsure if anyone was on the ground floor.
Hanson allegedly walked up to the scene while fire crews were extinguishing the blaze, and reportedly made conflicting and vague statements about the origin of the fire.
Fire officials stated that it appeared the fire may have stared on a couch and did not rule out Arson as a cause.
Hanson was taken to the Iowa City Police Department to be interviewed. She allegedly admitted to starting the couch on fire with a lighter she still had in her possession. Hanson was asked what motivated her to start the fire, and she reportedly stated that she was displeased with a recent crime scene, and said, “I’m going to make a crime scene.” She then stated that the fire got out of control and she left the residence, walking around the block before coming back and seeing firefighters at the scene.
Hanson added that she was aware there was a resident on the second floor and knew him by name.
She was charged with 1st degree Arson and could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison if convicted.