Couple Accused of Burning Down Former Landlord’s Home, Killing 2 Children and Injuring 3 Adults

On Saturday, a Washington couple was arrested for their alleged involvement in a house fire that left two children dead and three adults injured.  

According to reports, Kim Hughes, 32, and Jaramy Chism, 24, were recently evicted from their home after Chism had been fired from his job with the children’s father. Five days later around 2 a.m., a blaze engulfed the couple’s former home.

At the time of the incident, five people were inside the home, including the children and their mother, who reportedly fell out a second-story window while trying to save the six-year-old boy and eight-year-old girl. The children’s father, along with two other adults, were inside of the home as well.

As officials attempted to put out the flames, they found the couple in a tent nearby. When the police approached the couple, they claimed they were sleeping when the fire started, however, they found a gas can in their car which linked the couple to the crime. To make matters worse, following the couple’s eviction, Hughes, who was previously convicted of arson in 2014, reportedly threatened the father saying, “I will sue you or burn your house down,” reports reveal.

Both Hughes and Chism were arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder and one count of arson in the first degree. Although formal charges have yet to be filed, officials say they will be filed by Wednesday. In the meantime, the two are being held on a $2 million bail for their alleged involvement in the crime.