Marina
A Blue Springs woman is facing serious legal trouble after being accused of intentionally setting a fire inside a local hotel room.
According to court documents, Roshine Nelson has been officially charged with first-degree arson by Independence Court.
Details of the Incident
On the evening of September 21, around 7:30 p.m., Blue Springs police officers responded to a call at the Economy Hotel following assistance requests from firefighters. Dispatch reported that a fire alarm was triggered, and smoke was seen coming from one of the rooms.
The Central Jackson County Fire Department arrived first and determined the fire started from a burnt towel on a shelf. Investigators noted black burn marks on the towel, along with evidence suggesting the use of an accelerant.
Evidence Collected
Hotel management provided security footage showing Nelson exiting the room as smoke poured out.
A witness confirmed she had opened the door to Nelson’s room after hearing the alarm, only to be met by heavy smoke. She quickly began removing items to prevent the fire from spreading.
Another nearby resident entered the room with a fire extinguisher and described seeing three distinct flames on the wall near a refrigerator before putting them out.
An arson investigator later confirmed traces of accelerant at the scene and stated that surveillance video clearly showed Nelson leaving the room.
Additional Findings
During the incident, a dog was discovered inside the room but was able to escape unharmed.
Witness testimony revealed Nelson had previously faced similar charges. In fact, she was on probation for arson at the time and also had an active warrant in Jackson County.
Court records show Nelson was convicted in January 2024 for second-degree arson, where she admitted to setting fire to paper and throwing it onto a mattress during a domestic dispute.
Court Proceedings
Nelson is scheduled to appear in Jackson County Court on September 30 for a bond hearing related to the latest charges.
The Blue Springs arson case highlights the seriousness of repeated fire-setting offenses and the potential risks posed to both people and property.
With prior convictions and probation violations on her record, Nelson now faces the possibility of significant legal consequences if found guilty.