Two unrelated arson cases on the same day led to charges for two Beaufort County residents this month.

Olivia Michelle Frazier, 29, of Washington, was charged with second-degree arson and felony breaking and entering after deputies allege she intentionally set a single-wide mobile home on fire at 1521 Boyd Loop Road in Pinetown.

James Douglas Owensby, 35, of Aurora, was charged with second-degree arson after deputies allege he intentionally set fire to his girlfriend’s house at 297 N. Fifth St. in Aurora.

During the investigation of these fires the Sheriff’s Office received assistance from Beaufort County Emergency Management, the Pamlico County Fire Marshall and the New Bern Fire Department’s Arson K9.

PINETOWN FIRE

The first fire was reported just after noon on Dec. 4 on Boyd Loop Road in Pinetown. The BCSO says the homeowner came home to find the singlewide trailer filled with smoke, prompting a response from Pinetown, Bath and Bunyan fire departments. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters found evidence that it was intentionally set.

Investigators learned Olivia Michelle Frazier, 29, of Washington, had reportedly used the victim’s vehicle two days prior without their permission and was subsequently charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Investigators learned after those charges, Frazier had threatened the victims by phone and social media. The social media threat specifically mentioned the fire.

Frazier was charged with second-degree arson and felony breaking and entering. She was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $50,000 secured bond.

AURORA ARSON

The second fire, which happened in Aurora, was reported at about 3 p.m. First responders from Aurora and Blount’s Creek fire departments responded to find the house on fire.

The victim, who was not at home at the time of the fire, reported her boyfriend, Owens, sent a text to a friend of hers announcing his intention to set the house on fire. While deputies and first responders were still on scene, Owens showed up. When deputies approached to question him, he ran and was caught after a brief foot chase.

Because the fire was related to a domestic situation, Owens was initially held without bond. A judge later assigned him a $15,500 secured bond.