Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON — A Hutchinson teenager is suspected of arson made an initial court appearance via-video from the Reno County Jail Wednesday.

Kelly Slayton, 18, is charged with aggravated arson for the fire at an apartment at 110 West 10th, Apt. B, on March 2.

Fire crews responded and found flames and smoke coming from the single-story apartment complex. The fire was controlled in 15 minutes and damage was estimated at around $10,000.

Police had been dispatched to the area of 1300 N. Plum in reference to a possible suicidal woman in the area.

Officers then learned that the woman might reside in an apartment complex in the 100 block of West 10th.

Authorities said after trying to make contact with the woman by knocking on both the front and back doors, police left the back of the apartment, then found the entire front door and entryway fully engulfed in flames.

The officers forced entry at the back door and removed a woman from the apartment.

Officers said they believed at the time of the fire it was intentionally set. That led to the charge against Slayton. She is due back in court on April 15.