KENNETT, Mo. -- A 25-year-old Kennett woman is charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to a house.

According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff, Sherry Thomas is facing charges of second-degree arson stemming from an investigation of a Tuesday afternoon fire that destroyed a home at 1416 Ballard St.

Thomas is being held at the Dunklin County Justice Center on a $50,000 cash/surety bond. She is expected to make a court appearance next week.

According to the Kennett Police Department, following the suspicious fire, the state fire marshal's office was called in to investigate. Officer Jason Dunn determined the fire to be arson and spoke to neighbors. One neighbor reported seeing a vehicle leave the residence just before the fire began.

According to police, Thomas confessed to setting the fire under questioning by police.

According to the Kennett fire marshal Scott Tutor, the for the structure fire came in about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, and upon arrival, firefighters saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the structure. No one was at home at the time of the fire.

Tutor said 16 firefighters worked until 10:30 p.m. to extinguish the blaze.

Pertinent address:

1416 Ballard St., Kennett, MO