Lang
8/16/26
Allegedly intentionally starting a fire inside a park restroom has led to an arson charge against an Iowa City woman.
The Iowa City Fire Department was called to the boat house at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area on McCollister Boulevard just before 10:45 Saturday morning for a report of paper on fire in a restroom. Iowa City Police arrived first to find smoldering paper towels on the floor. Witnesses said they observed a woman wearing a yellow sweatshirt and red leggings leave the restroom just before the fire was discovered. A woman matching that description was found at a nearby bus stop on Gilbert Street.
38-year-old Erin Duffy of South Johnson Street allegedly admitted to setting a paper towel on fire on the floor of the bathroom because she was angry. A Bic lighter was found among her belongings.
Duffy is charged with 3rd Degree Arson. If convicted, she faces a maximum of two years in jail.