Weatherford, OK – A Weatherford woman has been charged with first-degree arson following a November 2025 fire at a residence in the University Drive trailer park in Weatherford.
According to court records filed in Custer County District Court, Halie Emberlyn Short, 25, is charged with one count of Arson in the First Degree, a Class A3 felony, in connection with a fire that occurred on Nov. 9, 2025, at the residence.
The residence was occupied at the time by four individuals, including three juveniles.
A probable cause affidavit states that Weatherford police officers were dispatched to the location around 12:30 a.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting a child screaming for an adult to stop. Shortly after, dispatch received a second call reporting the trailer was on fire.
Upon arrival, officers observed flames coming from a window on the south side of the trailer and found Short lying on the ground outside the residence. Officers prevented Short from reentering the trailer due to the active fire, while Southwestern Oklahoma State University police used a fire extinguisher in an attempt to suppress the flames.
Fire department personnel later determined the fire was not caused by electrical issues inside the walls and believed the fire originated from within the residence.
Short’s fiancé, the occupant of the home, told officers he was asleep in a bedroom when Short woke him yelling that there was a fire. The man stated he removed the children from the home and attempted to extinguish the fire with a hose before fire crews arrived. He later reported seeing a paper towel roll fully engulfed in flames and stated a propane tank inside an office area exploded, blowing out a window.
During a follow-up investigation, the man told police he believed the fire was accidentally started inside the office area where Short had been awake drinking while he slept. He stated he had recently attempted to leave the relationship and had ongoing safety concerns.
Investigators also conducted a forensic interview with one of the children, who stated she was asleep when the fire began and was removed from the home by the man.
Detectives later spoke with Short’s sister and sister-in-law, who told police Short’s account of the fire had changed and stated they believed she was capable of starting the fire.
Court documents indicate investigators made multiple attempts to locate Short following the incident.
On Jan. 23, 2026, a Custer County judge found probable cause to believe Short committed the offense and authorized a felony arrest warrant. The warrant was issued Jan. 27, 2026, with bond set at $50,000.
If convicted, the charge carries a possible penalty of up to 35 years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000, or both.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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