Nearly a month after she lost everything in a house fire, police have arrested a Louisiana mother accused of starting the blaze. Lucille Holloway, 36, allegedly set fire to her home while she and her 11-year-old daughter, Emalee, were inside. Initially, some thought Holloway was a victim of an unfortunate accident, but an investigation determined that wasn’t the case. It appears Holloway had a more sinister intent.
According to a news release from the State Fire Marshal’s Office via the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, the fire began about 3 a.m. October 19. Holloway and her daughter escaped unharmed but lost nearly everything in the home. In the days following the fire, she posted photos of her home on Facebook with a link to donate to the family. Her interest in collecting money reportedly led to her arrest.
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The mother appeared devastated.
Per the release, crews responded to an overnight fire in the 36000 block of Nicholas Drive in Walker on October 19. Holloway and her daughter escaped the fire, but the flames destroyed their home and belongings. Holloway posted photos on Facebook on the same date with the caption, “My whole world is flipped. I don’t even know what to do.”
Loved ones supported the family immediately.
Several people commented on Holloway’s photos, offering her support. A friend wrote, “Hey I’m glad you’re safely writing this message if you need anything let us know.”
“So sorry that happened to you what are some things that you need,” another person added.
Later in the day, on October 19, Holloway posted more pictures and her CashApp information. “I’ve been asked to post this several times, so here it is. I’m not sure where this is going to lead our little family but I’m terrified. We’ve been through enough. I’ve had enough,” she wrote.
The fire marshal began an investigation.
The fire marshall received tips from the arson hotline, revealing Holloway faced foreclosure, according to the news release. Authorities soon determined Holloway set the fire herself to collect the insurance money.
“In addition, investigators learned Holloway had accepted financial assistance from a disaster relief organization in the wake of the fire. After confirming Holloway had filed an insurance claim for the fire damage, a warrant was obtained for her arrest. She was then taken into custody on November 12 and booked in connection with the case,” the news release explains.
Online jail records show Holloway faces charges of arson, insurance fraud, cruelty to a juvenile, and theft.
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Many condemned the mother's alleged behavior.
Several people commented on their shock on the sheriff’s Facebook page.
They included this person, who wrote, “If she intentionally set it on fire while her child was still in the home, then why isn’t she being charged for attempted murder? I get she’s trying to scam on the house, but do that while your kid is nowhere near the home.”
This woman, claiming to be a relative, wrote, “My sister’s conduct is so disappointing.”
One person asked naysayers to give Holloway grace. She wrote in part, “Hopefully they make sure that she did do it and that they didn’t just go on insinuations because of assumptions. can be terrible.  and very misleading things can look one way and then be an entirely different way!!!!! my prayers and thoughts are with this young lady and her babies.”
