Ceres Police arrested a 31-year-old Ceres woman for allegedly setting fire to her apartment unit which spread into an upper floor unit early Saturday at 1625 Richland Avenue.

The fire displaced at least three residents.

Nobody was injured in the blaze, which broke out at 12:11 a.m. at 1625 Richland Avenue. Police arrested Amanda Rivas, 31, for setting her own apartment unit #114 on fire. It’s unclear why she lit the fire.

Investigating the arson fire is the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit. 

Ceres Engine 15 and a battalion chief first arrived to find fire engulfing a ground level apartment unit that burned into the second-floor unit above it and into the attic.

Also responding was Modesto, and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire departments which brought a total of three battalion chiefs, three fire trucks including the Stanislaus Consolidated quint engine, and multiple fire engines. Fire crews quickly deployed multiple lines on the fire and performed a search for any victims.

The fire was under control within approximately five minutes of arrival however, the ground level unit was destroyed, and the second-floor apartment suffered moderate damage. 

The American Red Cross assisted the three displaced residents find emergency housing by providing vouchers for hotels.