One arrest made in connection to deadly Topeka house fire
TOPEKA (KSNT) - A Topekan has been arrested in connection to a house fire that killed 46-year-old David S. Blevens.
One individual has been arrested and booked relating to an October, 2024 house fire, according to a news release from the Topeka Fire Department (TFD). Terica M. Gardner, 31, of Topeka has been booked into the Shawnee County Department of Connections on the following charges:
- Murder in the first degree
- Aggravated arson
- Aggravated burglary
- Arson
Shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, TFD crews responded to a reported house fire in the 1600 block of Southwest Buchanan Street. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from a two-story home.
Crews searched the residence, and found an individual, later identified as Blevens, on the second floor. Blevens was later pronounced dead. Witnesses recounted the fire to 27 News afterwards, describing hearing a series of loud “booms” coming from the area. Police later ruled the fire a homicide.
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