Hagerstown Woman Arrested for Setting Fire to Own Apartment While Performing Séance

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A Hagerstown woman has been charged with arson and other offenses after allegedly setting fire to her apartment and barricading herself inside the rental office. Authorities arrested 45-year-old April Niesha Hough at the scene after investigators determined the fire had been intentionally started during a séance.

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The incident occurred on March 14, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m. when firefighters from the Halfway Volunteer Fire Company, Hagerstown Fire Department, and nearby stations responded to The Ridge Apartments on Garden Lane. Upon arrival, they found smoke coming from the three-story building, prompting an evacuation of the tenants after a fire alarm had been triggered.

Deputy State Fire Marshals were informed that Hough had locked herself inside the rental office and told staff she had set the fire. When contacted by investigators, she claimed she was performing a séance before the blaze broke out. Further investigation revealed that she had removed multiple fire extinguishers from the building before the fire started.

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Authorities, with the assistance of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, took Hough into custody without incident and transported her to the Washington County Detention Center. She has been charged with first-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property over $1,500, and reckless endangerment. She is currently being held without bond.