Woman Arrested After Starting House Fire in Onslow County

A Jacksonville woman has been arrested after allegedly setting a house on fire while another person was inside.

Around 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, deputies with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence at 2052 Countrywood Drive following a 911 call reporting a structure fire.

Deputies made contact with the homeowner, Deshuan Middleton, of Jacksonville, who reported he was asleep when the fire started and awoke to find the home ablaze. Middleton told deputies that he and his girlfriend, Arielle Payton, 25, of Jacksonville, were the only individuals with access to the residence and that both were inside before he fell asleep.

Payton was not on scene when deputies arrived but was later located and arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants. Middleton sustained minor injuries as a result, and after further investigation, deputies established probable cause to charge Payton in connection with the fire.

Payton has been charged with:

• Felony Malicious Use of Explosive or Incendiary

• Misdemeanor Simple Assault (x2)

• 2nd Degree Trespassing

She was issued a $43,750 secured bond and is currently being held in the Onslow County Detention Center.

The investigation remains ongoing.