Gulfport woman charged with arson after admitting to setting house on fire

Gulfport Police have charged a woman with first degree arson after she allegedly set a house on fire.

21-year-old Gerahbeth Coffee was arrested today and taken to the Harrison County jail. Bond is set at $50,000.

Police say that this morning about 9 a.m., officers responded to a call about harassment at a home in the 2200 block of 30th Street.

When they arrived, officers were speaking to the person who made the complaint when they saw a woman, identified as Coffee, leave the home.

Then they saw smoke coming out of the house, which was quickly engulfed in flames. Police saw Coffee try to flee from the scene and took her to the police station, where she admitted to starting the fire.

Gulfport Fire Chief Billy Kelley said the house was probably a total loss.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.