Neighbor Accused of Starting Christmas Eve Fire at Rochester Duplex

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester woman is facing a pair of felony charges in connection with a fire that started at a local duplex. 

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The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court Friday morning, says the incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute with her neighbors. It also says it’s the second time this year she had started a fire at the duplex. 

One of the victimized residents saw the fire on a Ring Doorbell camera. Rochester police responded to the scene on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. 

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Rochester Woman Facing Charged For Lighting Food Wrapper on Fire at Local Duplex

45-year-old Jessica Ann Kuhlmann is charged with attempted first-degree arson and terroristic threats. 

The complaint says the owner of the neighboring unit in the duplex, located on 11th Ave. NE, saw Kuhlman on a Ring camera igniting a piece of paper on the door step of the duplex.  

He drove home and immediately put out the fire. He then saw Kuhlman in an alley near the residence and chased her down and held her until officers arrived, the complaint says. 

The woman living in the victim’s home then showed officers footage of Kuhlman lighting the food wrapper on fire, the complaint says. 

Following her arrest, Kuhlman admitted to lighting the food wrapper on fire. She also admitted to starting a fire back in September that significantly burned the front door of the home, the charges say. 

She also told officers she lit the fire in an attempt to scare the woman living next door. The complaint indicates the damage was minimal.

Kuhlman was released without bail following her first court appearance Friday morning. She is due back in court next month.