Missouri Woman Used Takis Tortilla Chips to Set House on Fire With People Inside

A Missouri woman has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison after she used Takis tortilla chips to set a house on fire with people inside.

Patricia Williams, 44, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree arson, as reported by KY3.

After firefighters and police responded to the Aug. 11, 2023, fire, witnesses at the scene told officers that Williams had seemingly set the fire on purpose. She was arrested and taken into custody, as reported by the Springfield News-Leader.

Three people had been inside the home when the fire was allegedly started, however no one received any injuries and they were all able to safely escape.

Prior to the fire, Williams was reportedly seen purchasing gasoline, which investigators said she then poured onto a pile of laundry in the home, set fire to the Takis and then used the flaming chips to spark the fire.

"Williams said she used the chips because she knew they would support combustion because of their grease content," the probable cause statement said, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

The 44-year-old had two active warrants at the time of her arrest for failing to appear in court. It is unclear if there was a relationship between Williams and the victims that were inside the home.