The Carmi Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a residential fire Monday morning at 611 Second Street. When police arrived, officers began to speak with neighbors and bystanders and learned of a fight that had taken place shortly before the fire was reported.
57 year old Karen Miller was taken into custody on a charge of aggravated battery as a result, and was transported to the White County Jail, where she is being held without bond pending a court hearing.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the Carmi Police Department, Carmi Fire Department, and the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s office. Arson is suspected as the nature of the fire, which was extinguished by the Fire Department.
Carmi Police arrested 21 year old Elijah Johnson of Carmi following a traffic stop Monday afternoon for driving on a suspended license. Johnson was pulled over on Summit Street and taken into custody at 12:40 pm. He was transported to the White County Jail and later released after posting a $150 bond.