Woman intentionally starts house fire with Takis chips, officials say. She’s prison-bound

A woman accused of using Takis chips to start a fire with three other people inside a home is now set to go to prison, according to Missouri court records.

Patricia E. Williams, charged with first-degree arson following the August 2023 fire in Greene County, pleaded guilty Jan. 7 as part of a plea agreement. She will now serve 12 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Three people escaped without injury following the fire, which the Springfield Fire Department said was ignited by a bag of Takis tortilla chips.

Williams purchased $2 of gasoline, then came to the home and poured gas onto a pile of clothes in the laundry home, the department said. Then, she is accused of lighting the Takis chips on fire and throwing the bag into the laundry room, creating a larger blaze.

“Williams said she used the chips because she knew they would support combustion because of their grease content,” authorities said.

Smoke was seen coming from the back of the home, and firefighters extinguished the fire, according to a probable cause statement. Two visitors in the home pointed the blame at Williams, but a motive for the fire is unclear.

Williams, who was discovered with soot on her face, was arrested after authorities said she “intentionally” caused the fire.

The fire department referred to Williams’ actions as reckless, saying she “put multiple people in danger of death or serious physical injury.”