OPELOUSAS WOMAN ARRESTED FOR AGGRAVATED ARSON
Published 6:23 am Monday, June 27, 2022
- Louisiana State Fire Marshal
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ST. LANDRY PARISH – The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) has arrested an Opelousas woman for allegedly setting fire to her former residence while two people were inside.
Porshia O’Neail, 29, was booked on June 23 on one count of Aggravated Arson in connection with the case.
In the morning hours of June 22, the Opelousas Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire located in the 1200 block of Stateman Road. There were two people in the house at the time of the fire. One occupant reported smelling smoke and located a fire on the exterior of the home. The second occupant was able to put the fire out before too much damage occurred.
After an assessment of the scene, deputies determined the fire was intentionally set.
Deputies learned in the days prior to the fire, O’Neail, was living in the home with two others, but was asked to move out, which resulted in an argument. Just prior to the fire, the female resident of the home reported finding a threatening note on her vehicle which also had several slashed tires.
Additional investigative efforts confirmed O’Neail as a suspect in the case and a warrant was obtained for her arrest.
On June 23, Opelousas Police took O’Neail into custody on the SFM warrant. O’Neail later admitted setting the fire during an interview with deputies. She was then booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail.
