By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
PENDLETON, Ind. — A former Summerlake resident has been charged with four counts of felony arson in connection with the Summerlake fire that claimed three homes and damaged a fourth house Monday afternoon, according to police.
Sharon D. Collins, 28, was arrested by Madison County sheriff’s deputies Tuesday for allegedly setting fire to the home where she once lived with her husband, Joshua J. Collins, 28.
She was also charged with invasion of privacy for violating a restraining order Joshua Collins filed against her, according to Maj. Brian Bell of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
The home, located at 9622 W. Quarter Moon Drive in the housing addition near Pendleton, caught fire just after 1:38 p.m. Monday. Flames quickly spread to the homes at 9648 W. Quarter Moon Drive and 9596 W. Quarter Moon Drive.
The three houses were nearly gutted by the fire, and a fourth, located at 9580 W. Quarter Moon Drive, sustained damage to its external siding.
No one was home in any of the four two-story houses when the fire erupted Monday and no injuries were reported, officials said.
More than two dozen firefighters responded to the three fires.
“We had three separate incidents,” Pendleton Fire Chief Danny Gardner explained.
After the fire was doused, the Fortville Fire Department took command of the scene, Gardner said.
A state fire marshal investigated the fire and quickly found it suspicious, Fortville Fire Chief Roger Tappy said. “The indications are that it was an intentionally set fire and there is a suspect in the case.”
Bell said witness testimony was part of the evidence gathered against Sharon Collins, and physical evidence is still being processed from the fire scene.
Summerlake resident Rich Lotts was one of the first residents to suspect arson Monday.
While sitting in his home office near the Collins home Monday, Lotts said he saw a suspicious white vehicle pull up to the home at about 12:30 p.m.
A woman stepped out of the car and approached the home and then left in the vehicle a short time later, he said.
Lott said his wife noticed smoke and flames at the home within five minutes of the woman’s departure.
Families displaced by the fire have been relocated to hotels and family members’ homes, Tappy said.
Connie Gardner of Marsh Superstores said the company is donating gift cards to the displaced families.
Sharon Collins is being held at the Madison County jail without bond.
Joshua Collins could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
