Woman accused of setting Blue Springs hotel on fire, faces arson charge
A woman is facing arson charges, accused of intentionally setting fire to a hotel rooom in Blue Springs.
Roshine Nelson was charged with one count of first-degree arson, according to an Independence Court document.
Blue Springs police officers were called to an Economy Hotel around 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 in response to a request for assistance from firefighters, according to a probable cause statement in support of Nelson’s arrest. Dispatch reported a fire alarm sounding and smoke coming from a room.
The Central Jackson County Fire Department, which arrived at the hotel first, reported the fire originated from what appeared to be a burnt towel on a shelf, according to the probable cause statement.
The probable cause statement notes the towel had “visible black burn marks, and what appeared to be the presence of an accelerant.”
The hotel manager informed an officer that she had video of Nelson leaving the room with smoke behind her as she exited, according to the probable cause statement.
A witness told officers she responded to the fire alarm, located Nelson’s room, and opened the door, according to the probable cause statement. Smoke poured out of the room as the woman opened the door, and she removed items from inside the room, to stop the fire’s spread.
A second witness, who lived in a room nearby, grabbed a fire extinguisher and walked into the room, according to the probable cause statement.
The woman walked into the room, “observed smoke, complete darkness and three different flames on the left wall near a refrigerator, before extinguishing the fire,” according to the probable cause statement.
An arson investigator at the scene observed evidence of an accelerant near the burnt shelf, according to the probable cause statement. The investigator also reviewed security footage, which “clearly showed Roshine Nelson” exiting the room.
Later, it was determined a dog had been in the room at the time of the incident, according to the probable cause statement. It left without injury.
Another witness, who is close to Nelson, informed investigators that Nelson was charged with arson in 2024, according to the probable cause statement. He told investigators Nelson was in the room alone before the fire.
At the time of the incident, Nelson was on probation for arson and had an active warrant for arson out of Jackson County, according to the probable cause statement.
Nelson was previously convicted of second-degree arson for a January 2024 firein which she intentionally set a piece of paper on fire and threw it on a mattress in a residence, according to a probable cause affidavit.
In that case, Nelson told officers she was angry at her husband, court records state.
Nelson is set to appear Sept. 30 for a bond hearing in Jackson County court.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM.
