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Oelwein woman charged with arson after three houses burned down
Police say she started the fire in the house where she lived, and it spread to two neighboring houses
Jun. 4, 2025 4:20 pm, Updated: Jun. 5, 2025 10:18 am
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An Oelwein woman was arrested Tuesday after she admitted to police that she started a fire that burned down three houses, including her own residence, according to online criminal complaints.
Jeannie Murphy, 50, is charged with two counts of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree arson after police say she started a fire at 316 First Ave. NE, where she lived. She started the fire at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, and it spread to two neighboring houses: 16 Fourth St. NE and 314 First Ave. NE.
Two of the homes had people in them at the time of the fire, although the complaints do not state if there were any injuries. All three homes were a total loss, according to the complaints.
Murphy previously was arrested while living at 316 First Ave. NE. In 2023, she was charged with domestic abuse assault after she attacked a man in the house with what she believed was a homemade acid, which she had made out of salt, water, beef broth, molasses and other ingredients.
Five days later, Murphy was charged with attempted murder and assault on persons in certain occupations after she attacked a detention officer who was attempting to move her to a different cell at the Fayette County Jail.
She later pleaded guilty to the charges of domestic abuse and assault on persons in certain occupations, and the attempted murder charge was dropped. She was sentenced to one year of probation.
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