Mom Gets 5-10 Years for Torching Apartment Building

CONCORD, NH - She made good on her threat to set her apartment building on fire after receiving an eviction and now, a Franklin mom is paying the price.

Amber Rose Cowan, 29, pled guilty to a single count of felony arson and was sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison on May 5, 2016, after setting an apartment building on School Street in Franklin on fire last year, according to a press statement from the Franklin Fire Department.

Cowan, according to Franklin Fire Chief Kevin LaChapelle, was also ordered to pay $480,000 in restitution.

On Sept. 16, 2015, firefighters in Franklin responded to 34-36 School St. for a report of heavy fire coming from the entire second floor of the building. The building – he noted – was a completely loss.

While crews were working the fire, LaChapelle and police in Franklin “received multiple reports that this was a set fire” and Cowan was a suspect.

“Days before the fire, Cowan made threats to the property owner after her eviction notice was served,” LaChapelle stated. “Witnesses reported that Cowan stated she was going to burn the building. Witnesses also stated that Cowan asked several neighbors for a gas can and money to buy the gas.”

Cowan was also seen on video surveillance at the Franklin Shop Express purchasing and pumping gasoline into a one-gallon gas can.

“During fire suppression efforts, a one-gallon gas can was found at the scene,” the chief stated.

Several tenants were in the building at the time of the fire – including a family of four – but all the occupants were able to escape without injury.

Franklin Fire Chief Kevin LaChapelle states

“We could not be happier with the outcome of this prosecution,” LaChapelle said in a statement. “Ms. Cowan placed several occupants and firefighters in great danger that day. On behalf of the entire city, I would like to thank all of the agencies that assisted in this incident; extinguishment, investigation and prosecution. I am confident that all of these strong working relationships made this a great success.”

New Hampshire Deputy State Fire Marshal Keith Rodenhiser added, “Arson is never just a property crime. Any intentionally set fire sets in motion a series of events that is inherently dangerous to the public and our first responders.”

Cowan, according to reports on Concord NH Patch, was arrested about a month before the fire on assault charges after allegedly punching her ex-husband while he was in the park with his kids. In December 2015, she was arrested for default or breach of bail conditions.