Teenager charged in connection with deadly house fire in court Friday

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — A 19-year-old woman charged with murder and arson in connection with a deadly fire in Indian Trail will face a judge Friday.

Monica Kimberly Rivera faces murder charges in the death of Susan Smith, 67.

Rivera and her sister were living with Smith when the fire broke out Wednesday night.

Deputies responded just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to a disturbance call on Mill Grove Road concerning a person with a knife. Deputies saw smoke coming from the roof of the home and began to try to get everyone out of the home.

Deputies removed Rivera and Rivera's sister from the home, but were unable to get to Smith because of the heat from the fire.

Firefighters from several departments responded and found an unresponsive woman in the home. She was airlifted from the scene but died during a flight to Winston-Salem, officials said.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death and the extent of the victim's injuries.

Investigators haven’t released what caused the fire.

Cox Media Group