A 34-year-old Nampa woman is facing serious felony charges after she allegedly admitted to deliberately setting fire to the house where she lived, injuring a firefighter in the process. Daphnee Amike Onuoha was arrested Monday afternoon and is currently held at the Canyon County Jail.
What Happened on Ridge Point Avenue
Nampa Fire Department crews were dispatched to the 1800 block of Ridge Point Avenue at 3:54 p.m. Monday after fire reports came in from the area. No one was inside the residence at the time of the fire, though Onuoha shared the home with two relatives. Despite the absence of occupants, one Nampa firefighter was injured while battling the blaze and transported to a hospital. That firefighter was later released and cleared to return to full-duty status. No other injuries were reported.
Investigators say Onuoha told authorities she set the fire because she was angry about her living situation. She now faces first-degree arson and burglary charges stemming from the incident.
Burglary Charge Tied to Fire-Starting Materials
The burglary charge goes beyond the fire itself. According to Nampa Police Department community engagement coordinator Carmen Boeger, Onuoha “entered a store with the intent to steal items to start the fire,” as reported by the Idaho Press. That alleged premeditated step — entering a retail establishment to obtain accelerants or other materials — forms the basis of the burglary count.
If convicted of first-degree arson, Onuoha could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 under Idaho law. The burglary charge carries a prison sentence range of one to ten years.
Impact on Canyon County Public Safety
The incident serves as a reminder of the broader fire danger facing Canyon County and the Treasure Valley this summer. With red flag warnings already issued for Southwest Idaho due to dangerous fire weather, deliberately set fires carry an amplified risk of spreading beyond any single structure and threatening neighboring homes and families.
Intentional fires also stretch fire department resources at a time when agencies across the region are stretched thin responding to weather-driven fire conditions. The injury sustained by the Nampa firefighter underscores the real human cost borne by first responders when fires are set recklessly or on purpose.
What Comes Next
Onuoha remains in Canyon County Jail pending further court proceedings. Both the arson and burglary charges are felony-level offenses under Idaho law, meaning she will face a formal arraignment and, depending on how the case proceeds, a potential preliminary hearing in Canyon County court. No trial date has been announced. The investigation is being handled by the Nampa Police Department.