A Monday bond hearing for the woman accused of setting a fire in her Manassas apartment building was postponed because she does not yet have an attorney.

Continue reading

Tanisha Bates, 28, was arrested and charged with felony arson following a fire in an apartment building in Manassas that displaced 23 people early Sunday morning, according to Prince William County Fire officials. She resided at the damaged apartment building.

Officials say Bates set fire to her apartment, then left to warn neighbors. Officials say she had just moved to Manassas from Ohio and had only lived in the apartment for about a month.

Fire personnel responded to a fire at 7:08 a.m. at 10128 Woodbury Drive in unit #902, officials said.

A total of 11 adults and 12 children were displaced and Red Cross was called to assist. Investigators say Bates was the only person taken to the hospital after the fire.

The fire was through the roof and a total of six units were damaged by fire or water. Damage was estimated to be about $600,000.

Bates is being held at the Adult Detention Center with no bond.