Woman Set Family Home on Fire to Keep Siblings from Cashing in on the Sale

A Missouri woman is accused of intentionally setting her late father’s house on fire in a shocking attempt to stop her sibling from making money off the property’s sale — and authorities say she even called 911 an hour earlier to ask how to get a burn permit.

Cheryl Gibson is now sitting in Greene County Jail, charged with second-degree arson after investigators say she confessed to the blaze that scorched the family home in Springfield.

According to a probable cause statement from the Springfield Fire Department, the drama began on Monday during a bitter family dispute between Gibson and her sibling over their shared financial interest in the inherited property.

Tensions reportedly boiled over earlier in the day when Gibson sent a message to her sibling explicitly threatening to “burn the place down.” That same day, she got into an argument while on the phone with her sibling’s spouse — a conversation that was cut short when her sibling jumped in, angering her even more.

At around 6 p.m., authorities say Gibson called 911 — not to report an emergency, but to ask how to get a permit to burn the house.

An hour later, police say she doused the home in gasoline, lit it with a book of matches, and watched it burn — all in an effort to make sure her sibling didn’t see a dime from its sale.

Then she called 911 again — this time to report the fire she had just started.

“During this recorded call, Gibson admitted that she had poured gasoline throughout the house and ignited it with matches,” the affidavit states. When first responders arrived, she was still on the property and was taken into custody without incident.

After being read her rights, police say she was surprisingly open about what happened. She admitted her motive was revenge — she didn’t want her sibling to benefit financially, even though she acknowledged the house was insured. Still, she claimed she had no plans to file a claim.

Investigators found physical evidence that backed up her story, including a nearly empty plastic gas can near the back door and a used matchbook that matched one she still had on her at the time of her arrest.

According to officials, Gibson also expressed disappointment that the fire didn’t cause more damage. She allegedly told investigators that the front door slammed shut as the fire began, which she believed limited how far the flames could spread. Even so, the blaze left fire and smoke damage throughout most of the rooms.

Gibson had been living in a separate home on the same property and had full access to both the house and her sibling. Court documents describe her as having no other community ties.

Due to concerns that she may try to finish what she started, the affidavit urges the court not to release her on bond.

“Most concerning, Gibson expressed disappointment that the front door closing limited the fire’s damage and demonstrated understanding of how this affected her results,” the filing reads. Investigators fear she may attempt to burn the house again “using improved methods to cause greater damage.”

Gibson remains behind bars on a $5,000 surety bond. Her next court appearance is set for Wednesday, August 6.