Woman Arrested In Connection With Arson At OC Hotel

COSTA MESA, CA — Costa Mesa police arrested a woman on suspicion of arson on Sunday after she reportedly called a police station threatening to harm herself and start a fire.

The blaze, reported on the fourth floor of the Crown Plaza Costa Mesa Hotel around 6:30 a.m., was extinguished by 6:44 a.m. and prompted the evacuation of nearby rooms. The woman assessed for injuries at the scene and arrested, the Costa Mesa Police Department said in a statement.

"A mental health evaluation is being conducted, hence her identity will not be disclosed," police said.

Officers arrived at 3131 Bristol St. Sunday morning, but when they arrived at the room the call came from, the door had been barricaded.

Officers "could hear the smoke alarm sounding inside the room," Roxi Fyad, a spokesperson for the Costa Mesa Police Department. "The woman had barricaded the front door prior to police arrival."

Officers forced their way into the room and came upon "thick smoke and flames inside the room," she said.

Fire crews on scene of the crowne plaza hotel with fire on the 4th floor. Making offensive fire attack with auto aid units assisting. pic.twitter.com/HSMMQZrEBe
— Costa Mesa FD (@CMFD_PIO) June 20, 2021

The City News Service contributed to this report.