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Written by: E. George
Published November 22, 2024 @ 2:45 PM ET
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. – Savannah Police officers arrested a 48-year-old woman on the morning of October 1, 2024, when she confessed to starting a fire at a Capital Street residence that injured four people. Tamekia Nancy Mumford reportedly told the officers that she wanted the home to “burn because of the evil spirits” inside.
Savannah Fire Department Public Information Officer Emily Dietrich explained that approximately 22 people were residing in the single-family, one-floor home. Police reports indicated that the residence was being maintained as a boarding home, and the victims’ ages ranged from two to 70.
Responding officers were informed that children were trapped inside the structure, and Savannah Fire personnel rescued at least two individuals. The four people who sustained smoke inhalation injuries were taken to Memorial Hospital, and the American Red Cross assisted the displaced residents.
A responding officer reported observing the top of the home completely engulfed in flames and thick black smoke billowing out as he approached.
Mumford, wielding a black lighter, immediately stated, “I did it; I did it,” without even being questioned. When the officer asked for her identification, she responded that she wanted “the house to burn” and did not know her name but provided it when asked a second time.
She repeated that she started the fire and wanted it to burn “because of the evil spirits in the home.” She also mentioned seeing “the Candyman come from the drain.”
A search of her bag uncovered several unmarked pill bottles, the contents of which were identified as various medications. Mumford was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center, where she faces felony charges of first-degree arson and four counts of aggravated assault.
Savannah Morning News obtained reports detailing over 20 incidents at the home involving 911. Some calls included domestic disputes, assaults, batteries, larcenies, and a shooting.
A couple of months before the fire, Savannah Police officers arrived at the home due to an assault report and were met by Mumford, who told them a man named “Dirty” bit her finger and caused her eye to be swollen. She said they had an altercation about the front door being locked because she had been sleeping in the building’s foyer.
Mumford also disclosed that she had not been taking the medication prescribed to her and was facing being evicted from the home. This case is pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On October 1, 2024, I was dispatched to a structure fire.
While en route to the scene call notes stated that kids were trapped inside, I activated my BWC and emergency lights. I drove with due regard, to get to the scene as quickly as possible.
Once I arrived on the scene, I could see the top of the residence completely engulfed with flames and thick black smoke rolling from the rear of the house.
Ofc. Olear stated that the black female at the rear of his marked unit was a suspect and needed to be detained. As I approached the female, now identified as Ms. Tamekia Mumford, stated she started the fire. Ms. Mumford stated “I did it, I did it” without asking her any questions, while holding a black lighter in her hand. Ms. Mumford stated that the black lighter in her hand was used to start the fire.
I proceeded to ask for Ms. Mumford’s identification. Ms. Mumford stated she wanted “the house to burn” and stated she did not know her name. I asked Ms. Mumford for her name again and this time she gave me her name. Ms. Mumford stated again that she started the fire and wanted it to burn because of the “evil spirits” in the home. Ms. Mumford stated she would turn herself in and go into police custody but wanted the residence to burn.
At this time, I placed Ms. Mumford under arrest and asked for a female Officer to search Ms. Mumford. While in custody, Ms. Mumford made spontaneous utterances and stated that she saw “the Candyman come from the drain”. Ms. Mumford then stated she was in the dark and could not move and set the house on fire. A female officer arrived and conducted a search incident to arrest and once clear, Ms. Mumford was placed in the back of a marked police unit.
At this time Cpl. Zimmerman began to search a black bag that Ms. Mumford was holding. While searching the bag, multiple bottles of pills, with no labels, were found. At this time, I used PillIdentifier.com and discovered Ms. Mumford had possession of
Metformin Hydrochloride (used to treat diabetes)
Naproxen (used to treat back pain)
Fluoxetine Hydrochloride (used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder)
Risperidone (used to treat Schizophrenia)
All Ms. Mumford’s items were placed back in her bag and taken into temporary custody. Ms. Mumford was then transported to Eastside Precinct at the request of the Arson investigator taking over the case.
I remained with Ms. Mumford until the investigator arrived. An ATF agent and SAVFD Arson Investigator questioned Ms. Mumford. After the interview, the Arson investigators advised me of Ms. Mumford’s charges. CPL Zimmerman and I transported to CCDC, where she was booked without incident.
SAVFD Arson Unit has taken over the investigation. At their request, CPL Zimmerman transferred the evidence of one black lighter and Ms. Mumford’s personal items into SAVFD Arson Unit custody.
[End of Narrative]