Jordyn Brown, 28, is facing a charge of arson of a dwelling in Westfield District Court. (Courtesy of the Westfield Detective Bureau)
WESTFIELD- A Westfield woman has been arrested and charged for intentionally setting the fire at 57 Bristol Street on Friday, December 14th.
Jordyn Brown, 28, is facing a charge of arson of a dwelling for the fire that did an estimated $50,000 to her own home. Brown was taken into custody Friday after being missing for six days following the fire. She was found in New Salem, Massachusetts by Detective Brian Freeman.
According to police reports, Brown was in an argument in her home with her mother and step-father when she went into her basement and flicked lit matches into a box filled with papers. The report said that when the fire began to increase in size, Brown attempted to put it out to no avail.
“I never wanted my basement on fire,” Brown said to police, “It was honestly, you know, when you get mad it was f— this.”
First responders following the 57 Bristol Street fire. (Photo by Peter Currier)
Brown had gone back upstairs to her parents without putting out the fire. When her mother noticed signs of a blaze in the house, she called 911. Brown fled the scene before first responders arrived, but she was found quickly and claimed she was looking for her dog. Westfield Fire Officials said that a dog had been rescued from the house itself unharmed.
Brown’s parents were unharmed, and the fire was contained to the basement.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas McLeod filed a motion asking for pretrial detention for Brown. The attorney appointed to represent Brown filed a motion asking for a pretrial evaluation for competency and criminal responsibility. Judge William O’Grady acted on the defense motion and ordered that she be held for evaluation. The Commonwealth’s motion was postponed pending a January 11th pretrial hearing.
