Mankato woman charged with arson after Saturday mobile home fire

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - A Mankato woman has been charged with arson after authorities say their investigation shows she started the fire in her own home.

According to court documents, Rose Louann Powell, 31, is charged with felony 1st degree arson.

Fire crews were called to the mobile home at 722 Southhaven Drive on Saturday. No one was home when fire crews arrived and the home was determined to be a total loss.

Court documents show investigators found multiple points of origin for the fire, with a matchbox, empty bottle of alcohol and a lighter near one of the points of origin. They also noted combustible fuel lines set intentionally by fire setters to expand the fires reach, as well as paper towels with unique patterns used to start or expand the fire.

A witness said they saw Powell walking away from the home prior to the fire and the manager of the mobile home park said there have been previous issues with Powell starting large fires next to her home.

Another witness said Powell arrived at his home on the day of the fire and was acting strange. He got a call about the fire and convinced her to drive by to confirm it. As they drove by, Powell told him not to stop. Court documents say Powell was with him when she was arrested and had paper towels in her bag that matched those used to start/expand the fire.

Court documents go on to say the owner of the home was in the process of removing Powell and selling the home to someone else.

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