Columbus woman facing aggravated arson charges following duplex fire that injured local fire captain

Trina Bumgardner faces arson charges after a Columbus fire injured a fire captain. Read about the eviction motive and the structural collapse on Racine Avenue.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WSYX

The Legal Consequences of an Intentional Blaze

Law enforcement officials in Columbus have moved forward with criminal charges against a woman suspected of orchestrating a dangerous residential fire in the Hilltop neighborhood. Trina Bumgardner was taken into custody this week and is facing two counts of aggravated arson following a comprehensive investigation into the December incident. According to municipal court documents, the fire was not an accident but a deliberate act that put both residents and first responders at extreme risk.

A Near Fatal Incident During Emergency Operations

The fire on Racine Avenue is particularly notable due to a harrowing close call involving the Columbus Division of Fire. While crews were actively battling the flames within the duplex, a significant structural failure occurred when a bathtub fell through the weakened second floor. The falling debris pinned Fire Captain Matt Bocock underneath, necessitating an immediate mayday call and a rapid rescue effort by his colleagues. According to department reports, the speed of the rescue prevented the captain from sustaining more life threatening injuries during the collapse.

Allegations of Premeditated Intent and Coordination

The investigation into the cause of the fire took a significant turn following the arrest of the suspect's brother, Jessie Bumgardner. According to court records, Jessie Bumgardner provided statements to police indicating that his sister, Trina, played a central role in the preparation of the arson. The documents allege that she drove him to a gas station to purchase the accelerant used to ignite the building, establishing a narrative of coordinated criminal activity between the siblings.