A Newport woman has been arrested after police say she broke into a duplex and started a fire.

31-year-old Morna Williams of Newport has been arrested and charged with first degree arson and felony breaking and entering.

Police say the fire occurred at a two story duplex on 302 John’s Way in Newport around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Heavy smoke was coming from the second story window when firefighters arrived. Nearby units had to be evacuated. Firefighters were able to put out the fire and no one was injured.

Newport Police and the Carteret County Fire Marshall then took over the investigation. They say the fire originated in the upstairs bedroom. They say there was an additional point of origin in the downstairs living room.

Officers were able to get suspect information related to the case. They located Williams riding a bicycle on East Chatham Street in Newport.

Investigators say the fire appears to be the result of an argument earlier in the week between Williams and the tenant renting the unit.

Williams was placed in the Carteret County jail under a $20,000 secured bond.