Man Allegedly Set Fire to Apartment Amid Eviction

Mar 24, 2025

A man is facing a felony charge after authorities say he intentionally set fire to his apartment in Ramsey County.

The incident occurred on March 20, when police and fire crews responded to a report of a fire at a multi-unit residence on Victoria Street in Saint Paul.

Emergency personnel arrived at around 5:18 p.m. and found one of the units engulfed in flames. Investigators quickly identified the resident of the unit, 27-year-old Thaddeus Kurran Mitchell, as the suspect in the case.

According to the criminal complaint, Mitchell had recently been served an eviction notice and a witness who arrived home around 5 p.m. told police she saw him running from the building carrying bags. She also observed smoke coming from his apartment. The witness relayed that she had heard Mitchell tell his sister he planned to burn the building down, though the sister denied that claim and instead said she happened to be driving by and noticed smoke.

FREE > Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter

Officers located Mitchell nearby and took him into custody. During a recorded interview, he acknowledged the recent eviction and said he had an argument with his girlfriend the night before. He told police that while trying to smoke marijuana using a bong, he accidentally started the fire while refilling a lighter with fluid. He said he panicked and fled the scene.

But fire investigators later found evidence contradicting Mitchell’s version of the events. They reported discovering multiple points of origin for the fire, indicating it was set intentionally.

Mitchell has been charged with first-degree arson involving a dwelling, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. He remains in custody with bail set at $50,000. A judge has ordered his continued detention pending further court proceedings.

> See more of our latest coverage