19-year-old charged with murder, arson in connection with Union Co. fire

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A woman has been arrested in connection with a deadly fire near Indian Trail, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office. Monica Kimberly Rivera, 19, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Susan Smith, 67, and arson.

[ IMAGES: Fatal house fire in Union County ]

Deputies responded just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to a disturbance call on Mill Grove Road concerning a person with a knife. Deputies saw smoke coming from the roof of the home and began to try to get everyone out of the home.

Deputies removed Rivera and Rivera's sister from the home, but were unable to get to Smith because of the heat from the fire.

Firefighters from several departments responded and found an unresponsive woman in the home. She was airlifted from the scene but died during a flight to Winston-Salem, officials said.

Three Union County sheriff's deputies were taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Union for treatment of smoke inhalation. All three have been released.

After the fire was out, firefighters, the Union County Sheriff's Office, ATF and SBI began to investigate what started the fire.

Investigators determined that Rivera, Rivera's sister and Smith were the only three people inside the home at the time of the fire. Rivera and her sister had been living with the Smith for a period of time, authorities said, but weren't related to her. The sisters are not related to Smith, but they are family friends.

Neighbors told Channel 9 they're surprised and saddened by what happened to Smith.

"We thought she lived by herself until I heard news reports and things, like that there (were) two other people in the house," neighbor Teresa Moore said.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death and the extent of the victim's injuries.

Rivera is in the Union County jail under no bond. Her first court appearance is Friday.

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