Police: Aurora woman set fire that killed dog

An Aurora woman faces arson charges after admitting to setting a fire that injured her roommate, sent a police officer to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and killed one of her two dogs, authorities said Thursday.

Mary Mueller, 50, of the 300 block of Grant Place, faces charges of aggravated arson resulting in bodily harm and residential arson after setting fire to her second-floor apartment about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

“She used some type of flammable liquid and then ignited it,” Aurora Deputy Fire Chief John Lehman said.

Mueller's roommate was able to escape the fire on his own. He suffered smoke inhalation and minor burns to his face and was transported to Rush-Copley Medical Center, Lehman said. A police officer who inhaled smoke responding to the scene also was taken to the hospital, Aurora police Sgt. Thomas Kearbey said.

One of Mueller's dogs died in the fire and the other was taken to Aurora Animal Control.

Mueller set the fire after some type of domestic dispute, Lehman said. Kearbey said she did not give investigators any further explanation for why she started the blaze.

The building sustained about $80,000 damage, including fire damage to the top floor and water damage to the bottom floor.