SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal house fire in Topeka have made an arrest. On Thursday 31-year-old Terica M. Gardner, 31, of Topeka, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree, Aggravated arson, Aggravated burglary and Arson, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.
Just after 6p.m. Oct. 13, crews from the Topeka Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 1640 SW Buchanan Street.
First responders found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story residence. Firefighters performed a search and found the body of 46-year-old David Blevens on the second floor of the residence who was later pronounced deceased. Crews extinguished the fire.
Investigators determined the cause of this fire was intentionally set, according to Nichols.