FAIRFIELD, KY – Authorities arrested a Kentucky woman over the weekend after she allegedly set fire to a home with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend inside, then called 911 to alert emergency dispatchers during the blaze.
Sarah Shelburne, 33, was taken into custody late Saturday and is facing serious felony charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson. The incident occurred at a residence on the 300 block of Little Union Road in Fairfield, a small community approximately 50 miles west of Lexington.
According to investigators, the fire broke out around 9:37 p.m. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, where they found Shelburne still present near the burning home. Both her mother and her mother’s boyfriend managed to escape without life-threatening injuries.
Officials allege that Shelburne intentionally set the house on fire after a heated argument with her mother. Authorities said Shelburne admitted during interviews that the fire was an attempt to kill both individuals inside the home.
During a subsequent interview at the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, Shelburne reportedly became agitated and is accused of assaulting a deputy, escalating the situation further. Detectives say she also threatened one officer while in custody and spat on him during questioning.
Investigators reviewing evidence said that during the 911 call, Shelburne told dispatchers to “hurry up,” indicating she was setting the house on fire and referencing the use of rubbing alcohol as an accelerant. Officials noted that she appeared to have planned the act, as she later claimed to have contemplated setting the home ablaze “for most days.”
Court documents indicate that when pressed for a motive, Shelburne allegedly stated her intention was to kill both her mother and her mother’s partner.
After her arrest, Shelburne was booked into the Nelson County Correctional Center. She appeared before a judge for her arraignment on Tuesday, where she was ordered held on $1 million bond.
Authorities have not detailed the condition of the house following the fire or the current physical states of the two intended victims beyond confirming their survival. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to release more information as the case develops.
Shelburne faces a series of hearings in the coming weeks to determine the next steps in the legal process. If convicted, she could be facing a lengthy prison sentence.
The incident has unsettled the tight-knit Fairfield community, with neighbors expressing shock at the allegations. Law enforcement officials continue to urge anyone with additional information about the case to contact the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office.