A Wisconsin woman has been arrested and charged with arson after allegedly setting her father’s apartment building ablaze during an argument over her eviction.
Laquita Spears, 48, reportedly used charcoal fluid and a Bic lighter to ignite a fire in her father’s Milwaukee apartment, causing extensive damage and endangering the lives of elderly residents in the building.
The Incident and Escalating Dispute
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, the incident took place on January 13, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., following a heated dispute between Spears and her father.
Spears had been staying with her father after being kicked out of a local shelter. Police reports reveal that Spears’ father had asked her to leave after weeks of ongoing issues, including her erratic behavior and shouting during a conversation about money.
Spears’ father explained that he had no issues with his daughter initially but began to notice concerning behavior, including her speaking to herself.
On the day of the incident, Spears reportedly screamed at him over a family dispute regarding $5 and continued to curse at him. At some point during the argument, Spears was seen walking toward the front door, clutching a red Bic lighter. She allegedly said, “Burn motherf—er, burn!” before leaving the apartment.
The Blaze and Its Consequences
Shortly after Spears left, her father discovered that his coat on the couch was on fire. Attempts to extinguish the flames were unsuccessful, and the fire quickly spread, engulfing the apartment and others nearby. The blaze spread to other units in the apartment building, which houses many elderly and disabled residents.
Several people, including elderly individuals, suffered from smoke inhalation, and one person was hospitalized after being found unresponsive and “not breathing.” The building did not have sprinklers, and some residents were forced to self-evacuate, with some even hanging out of windows to escape the smoke.
Spears’ Arrest and Admission of Guilt
Spears was arrested on January 16, 2026, after investigators tracked her down. During an interview, Spears admitted to squirting charcoal fluid on her father’s jacket and the surrounding clothing in the apartment.
She explained that she had placed a laundry basket of clothes on a table in the living room, soaked the clothes with charcoal fluid, and set the fire.
Spears has a history of arson, with two prior convictions for similar offenses. She allegedly detailed disputes with her family members dating back to September and mentioned her previous arson case during police interviews.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Laquita Spears now faces multiple charges related to the arson, including endangering the lives of others and causing extensive damage to property. Authorities are continuing to investigate the full extent of the fire and the damage caused. Spears’ prior criminal record, including previous arson convictions, could factor into the legal proceedings.
