Cedar Rapids woman faces arson charges in two apartment fires

A Cedar Rapids woman faces two arson charges related to fires set at Cedar Rapids apartment buildings.

According to Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow, Carolyn Ann Mittman, 48, is charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony, after allegedly admitting to starting a fire at an apartment complex at 4333 First Ave. SW on Oct. 22.

Mittman allegedly used a lighter to ignite the carpet in the bedroom closet of an apartment.

Mittman was also charged with first-degree arson for a fire behind an apartment complex at 5259 Johnson Ave. NW on Oct. 13, 2017. She was charged following an investigation and allegedly admitted to starting the fire, Buelow said.

Mittman told police she started the Oct. 22 fire to collect insurance money, Buelow said.

The maximum sentence for a Class B felony in Iowa is 25 years.