Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 22, 1995                   TAG: 9502220091
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SISTER FACES ARSON CHARGE IN HOUSE FIRE

Fire investigators said Tamberina Jane Harris flew to Florida two days after the blaze.

She was in jail on a charge of failing to appear to answer domestic-related warrants when officials added the arson charge Tuesday. Fire investigators say she flew to Florida two days after she set fire to her sister's Roanoke County home in October. But Tuesday, authorities caught up with Tamberina Jane Harris in Roanoke County Jail, where she was placed after failing to appear on other domestic-related warrants.

Officials accused Harris, 29, in connection with a fire at 3464 Chapparal Drive, Roanoke County Fire Inspector Rodney Ferguson said.

Harris' sister, Elizabeth Andrews, and James Poff and their two children lived in the rented one-story home. They escaped from the fire uninjured.

Investigators said they believe the fire began after an accelerant was poured through the home and ignited by a match or lighter. Ferguson said Harris was in the house just before the fire began.

Harris denied setting the fire, Ferguson said.