A Washougal woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to an arson charge for allegedly setting her house ablaze while facing a pending divorce and foreclosure.
Trial for Billinda Jantzer, 50, who is charged with first-degree arson, is set for Nov. 7.
Jantzer allegedly planned to torch the house while inside, according to court documents.
Her grown son, concerned over a grim text message that she sent him just before the fire, rushed to the house the afternoon of Jan. 12 and rescued her.
Firefighters were called to the fire at the home at 530 S.E. Blair Road. A large plume of smoke was reported as the call came in, and firefighters arrived to find the rear of the home engulfed in flames. The house was eventually destroyed.
Fire investigators zeroed in on Jantzer after neighbors reported seeing her and her son driving away as the house went up in flames, according to court documents.