BURLINGTON, IA – A self-proclaimed “witch” was recently taken into custody after setting fire to a stranger’s porch in Iowa. The incident reportedly occurred due to a misunderstanding: The accused, Michelle Young, 46, believed her friend resided at the said property.
Around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Young appeared on the premises, according to the Burlington Police Department. She ignited the flames when nobody responded to her three knocks on the door. As firefighters arrived at the mildly damaged property, they found Young still on the porch, apparently unperturbed by the blaze.
Young admitted her actions without hesitation. She had gathered “miscellaneous items” to light the fire during her two-hour walk around the neighborhood. Investigators also revealed a curious aspect from their interaction with Young. She declared herself a “witch,” justifying her actions based on a “Witches Welcome” sign she purportedly noticed on the porch.
According to the information Young relayed, post her three initial knocks on the door, she paused to smoke a cigarette before attempting to knock once again. This is when she proceeded to burn clothing and other items, captured by the property’s security camera.
The unsuspecting resident divulged to police that the woman was unknown to her, and that they had never had any previous encounters. While Young maintained she did not wish to harm anyone or let the fire spread wildly, police located a clear glass smoking pipe in her possession at the scene.
Consequently, Young faces charges, including reckless use of fire and possession of drug paraphernalia. Currently, she is being held with a cash-only bond of $5,000.