Felony Arson Warrant Issued in Lawton House Fire on NW Dearborn; $100,000 Bond Set

A Comanche County judge issued a felony arrest warrant Friday for Amber Hite, 39, of Lawton, charging her with second-degree arson in connection with a September 6 house fire at 2111 NW Dearborn. The warrant carries a $100,000 cash bond.

According to Deputy Fire Marshal Anthony Garibay, a neighbor’s surveillance camera recorded a woman getting out of a gray-blue Chevrolet Traverse, entering the home, and leaving roughly three minutes before smoke became visible. The homeowner, who was out of state at the time, told investigators Hite had been house-sitting. Hite initially denied being at the property that day, then said she had returned for medication and may have left the front door open. She has denied starting the fire, telling investigators she has done nothing wrong and would never do that to another person. Investigators located the fire’s area of origin in a front room between a couch and a wall corner but have not issued a formal cause determination.

Second-degree arson in Oklahoma is a serious charge, carrying up to 35 years in prison. Anyone with information on Hite’s whereabouts is asked to contact local authorities. Have you ever relied on a house-sitter while traveling? Tell us how you handle it in the comments.