Woman charged with setting Durham apartment fire

Ricela Salom Rebollar-Valdez, 21, of 7969 Troxler Mill Road in Gibsonville, faces charges of breaking and entering and first- and second-degree arson in the blaze that ripped through Springfield Apartments Friday afternoon. She was being held without bond Monday in Guilford County and could face additional charges after fire investigators consult with the Durham district attorney on Tuesday.

Durham fire investigators determined Saturday that fire started in apartment 404 of the complex, near Martin Luther King Jr. and University drives, around 4 p.m.

"For someone to just set an apartment on fire is ridiculous," resident Adu Sheref said. "That is just heartbreaking. This is inhuman."

Eric Wyrick said he was familiar with Rebollar-Valdez and saw her at the building before the fire. She rushed by, not stopping to talk as she usually would, Wyrick said.

Wyrick was present when the fire started, and firefighters credit him with warning many of the residents as the fire spread. He voiced his suspicions Friday to WRAL News.

"It ran across the floor, you could see it shoot across the floor, you know, not like it normally would burn, but like something had been poured," he said.

More than 40 firefighters battled the blaze Friday afternoon, and two firefighters suffered heat exhaustion, but no residents of the building were hurt.

The Red Cross was helping those lost their homes find food, temporary shelter and clothing. 

The Springfield Apartments will also be accepting donations at the leasing office on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. following the Labor Day holiday.  They are seeking non-perishable food items, clothing, towels, toys and pet supplies.