Medina woman charged with arson for house fire in May
MEDINA – A Medina woman has been charged with arson in the third degree for a fire May 11 at 956 Gwinn St.
Kelly Morrison is the homeowner of the property. She was arrested today with additional charges of insurance fraud 2nd, class C felony; aggravated cruelty to animals, (2 counts), felony; and criminal mischief 4th, class A misdemeanor.
Her arrest was made about nine months after the fire at her home on Gwinn Street. The charges followed an extensive investigation conducted by the Medina Police Department, in cooperation with fire investigators from the Medina Fire Department and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, Medina Police chief Chad Kenward said.
The Medina Fire Department and surrounding agencies were dispatched to a structure fire at 956 Gwinn St. at about 7:15 p.m. on May 11. An effective response by firefighters contained the fire to the room of origin, Kenward said.
Firefighters located two cats in the residence and provided them with medical aid. The Medina Police Department initiated a joint investigation which included interviews with several individuals, and processing of a large amount of digital and physical evidence at multiple laboratories.
Morrison charged today and processed at the Medina Police Station, and then transported to the Orleans County Jail. Formal arraignment will occur in Orleans County Court.
“The Medina Police Department would like to recognize and thank all of the agencies and individuals involved in the investigation for their hard work and dedication,” Kenward said.
He listed Lt. Steven Cooley and Capt. Jonathan Higgins with the Medina Fire Department, fire investigator David Clary with the Orleans County Office of Emergency Management. The Medina Police Officers investigating this case were Lt. Todd Draper and officer Joe Frentz.
