Reports of shots fired at Redding arson fire hamper rescue efforts – Woman arrested

REDDING, Calif. — Authorities say that reports of shots fired at an east Redding home that a woman set ablaze slowed firefighter’s suppression efforts and ultimately led to the arrest of a woman yesterday morning, Sunday, Feb. 28. The alleged arsonist later attempted to grab an officer’s gun while being treated at an area hospital and had to be physically subdued.

The blaze, which led to the use of Redding Police Department’s recently purchased armored rescue vehicle to protect firefighters and area residents, happened on the 2000 block of Avola Street, between Hwy 44 and Wilson Street and east of Shasta View Way.

The fire that led to the woman’s arrest was reported within minutes of another set of arson fires in Anderson that led to the arrest of a convicted and wanted arsonist who was reportedly agitated and armed with a knife.

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City of Redding Police and Fire personnel were dispatched to the residence at 7:48 a.m. after receiving reports of a residential structure fire, Redding Police Corporal Rob Garnero later said of the incident and arrest.

Neighbors who called 911 to report the fire also reported that gunfire was heard from within the burning residence, according to Garnero.

Despite the reports of gunfire coming from a Redding home that a suspected arsonist allegedly set ablaze and with coverage, protection, and support from Redding PD’s recently purchased armored rescue vehicle, firefighters and officers risked their lives to extinguish the fire and rescue nearby residents from the area. RPD photo

When officials arrived at the scene they found a single-story, single-family home that was nearly fully engulfed in flames.

Despite the reports of gunfire at the location, firefighters began an immediate and aggressive attack on the blaze, while officers “exposed themselves to danger and hazardous smoke as they worked alongside firefighters to put out the flames and check for any victims inside the burning residence,” said Garnero.

“Due to concerns for the safety of neighboring residents and firefighters, officers used the department’s armored rescue vehicle and shields to assist with evacuations and providing protection to firefighters who were working hard to put out the flames,” Garnero described.

The armored vehicle used to protect police and fire personnel was purchased in late December with funding from local business owners in the Hilltop Dr. district, according to Garnero.

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As officials were continuing to work at the scene, the homeowner’s mother arrived at the location and told officers that her daughter, since identified as 33-year-old, Tiffany Nicole Blair, started the blaze before fleeing to her home about two miles away on Silverfield Loop in east Redding.

“Officers and a Redding Fire Investigator responded to Silverfield Loop and located the suspect … sitting on her mother’s front lawn,” said Garnero; adding that the alleged suspect was arrested after admitting she had started the fire prior to fleeing the burning residence.

Saying the department’s newly acquired armored rescue vehicle “is vital for the protection of public safety and community members,” Redding PD’s Corporal Garnero thanked the community “for providing us with this asset.” RPD photo

After her arrest, officers transported Blair to an area hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, according to the Corporal.

“While being treated, (Blair) told an officer she was going to take his firearm and grabbed ahold of it,” according to Garnero; who added, “Officers were able to quickly subdue Blair and she was booked at the Shasta County Jail for arson and attempting to take a firearm from a peace officer.”

Online jail records indicate Blair remains in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail or bond.

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While decrying the lack of local mental health services, Blair’s mother, Janet Lee, later addressed the incident via social media, writing, “As the mother of Tiffany I thank RPD and Redding Fire Dept for a positive resolution to a horrible situation.”

“The Redding Police Department is proud to provide assistance and work alongside our public safety partners at the Redding Fire Department,” Garnero later said while addressing the department’s newly acquired armored rescue vehicle and thanking the community “for providing us with this asset, which is vital for the protection of public safety and community members.”

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Redding Police Department at (530) 225 4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 21R013084 and can remain anonymous. 

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For all the latest, often up to the minute coverage of Shasta County crimes, accidents, incidents and emergencies, along with traffic, travel, and weather alerts, community awareness posts, news articles and so much more, visit Redding Crime and Community Alert Shasta County on Facebook.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.