NW Bend woman accused of arson at her home faces hearing on mental fitness before case proceeds
(Update: adding information from latest hearing)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Bend woman was arraigned on arson and other charges Monday in Deschutes County Court, accused of setting fire to her home in northwest Bend.
Rachel Kidwell, 33, was arrested Nov. 15 at the triplex where she resided when Bend Police responded to a structure fire.
When officers arrived, they found Kidwell on the front porch. Police said she told them she had started the fire herself, a blaze that also damaged two adjacent units before firefighters could stop it.
Kidwell has been indicted on three counts of first-degree arson, as well as first-degree criminal mischief and two counts of reckless endangering. A hearing on her fitness to proceed has been set for December 8th.
KTVZ News will continue to follow this developing story and will keep you updated.
Earlier Story -- November 15th -- BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Bend Woman was arrested on Saturday after allegedly starting a fire in the 1200 block of NW Stannium Road.
33-year-old Rachel Joy Kidwell is being investigated for Arson after telling officers that she'd started the fire at the home.
Bend Fire & Rescue was able to prevent the fire from spreading but other units in the multifamily building sustained Damage
This story is developing and we will continue to update it as we learn more.
Read the Press Release Below:
"At approximately 12:17 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, Bend Police responded to a report of a fire in the 1200 block of NW Stannium Road.
When officers arrived, they found a second-story apartment in a triplex fully engulfed in flames. A woman, later identified as 33-year-old Bend resident Rachel Joy Kidwell, was on the porch when officers arrived and told them she’d started the fire at the home.
Bend Police evacuated the surrounding residences.
Bend Fire & Rescue was able to prevent the fire from spreading and successfully extinguished the flames. Other units in the multifamily building sustained damage.
Officers took Kidwell into custody and transported her to the Bend Police Department. She will be lodged at the Deschutes County Jail. An investigation into the incident is ongoing."
