SAN ANTONIO – A woman is accused of recklessly starting a fire inside an occupied San Antonio home after investigators found smoking materials near the suspected origin of the blaze.
Maria Antonietta Basaldu is charged with arson-reckless, a state jail felony, in connection with the August 4 fire.
According to the affidavit, two people inside the home told investigators they were asleep when they woke up to smoke around 5 a.m. They searched for the source but could not find it and called 911 around 6:56 a.m.
Firefighters discovered a smoldering rag on a shelf behind a refrigerator in a deep corner of the home. The refrigerator was moved so crews could remove the smoldering material and shelf from the building.
Both victims told investigators they did not smoke but had previously seen Basaldu smoking inside the house despite being told multiple times not to do so. They also reported seeing her discard smoking materials inside the home, including on the carpet.
An arson investigator found two cigarette butts behind the refrigerator, below where the shelf had been located. Investigators said there were no electrical outlets, heat sources, or other natural ignition sources near the suspected origin of the fire.
Because of the fire’s hidden, elevated location, investigators said they did not believe a cigarette could have accidentally fallen into that area. The affidavit states that investigators could not rule out the possibility that the smoldering rag was intentionally ignited and placed behind the refrigerator.
The fire was ultimately classified as incendiary in nature. Investigators allege Basaldu was the only other person inside the home at the time and either intentionally ignited the rag or disregarded a substantial risk of fire by discarding lit smoking material onto combustible material in the concealed area.
The two people inside were able to get out safely.
Basaldu’s behavior was described as concerning after she was rummaging through a neighbor’s trash can, gave responses that were often incoherent, and was seen eating spoiled food discarded in the trash. The two victims told investigators they were concerned for both their safety and Basaldu’s safety.