A DeKalb woman was arrested Friday night for allegedly starting a fire that caused an estimated $250,000 damage to a house in the 800 block of East Lincoln Highway.

Debbie J. Bute was arrested at 5:22 p.m. after being released from Kishwaukee Community Hospital, where she was taken after reportedly fleeing to a family member’s house a few blocks away from the fire, according to a DeKalb Police Department news release.

Bute was charged with aggravated arson, a class X felony, and taken to DeKalb County Jail pending bond.

About 6 p.m. Thursday, the DeKalb Fire Department responded to the fire at 808 E. Lincoln Highway, where they found smoke coming from the front of the building and heavy fire inside, possibly with victims trapped, according to a DeKalb Fire Department news release.

First-arriving firefighters found an occupant trapped inside by fire and smoke on the east side of the second floor of the house. The occupant was rescued by the use of ground ladders and treated at the scene. They did not require medical attention, according to the release.

While trying to stop the fire, the flames extended to the rear and roof of the building. Firefighters were able to confirm there were no other occupants, and the fire was extinguished about two and a half hours after arrival, according to the release. No one was injured in the fire.

Police investigation revealed that Bute started the fire in her bedroom because she was angry with another resident, according to the news release.

The fire is believed to be arson based on witnesses interviewed and physical evidence collected from the scene, said DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler.

Some witnesses at the scene Thursday night reported a domestic fight where a bed was set on fire.

Bruce Harrison, acting fire chief of DeKalb, said it was a “very fast, hot moving fire,” and investigators were at the house Friday morning. No surrounding buildings were damaged. Harrison estimates the house may not be salvageable after the fire.

DeKalb Police conducted several interviews of tenants and witnesses in the investigation, Spangler said.

A total of eight people have been displaced by the fire, Harrison said. The house contained three housing units that were occupied, and possibly a fourth unoccupied in the basement, he said. A pet cat was killed in the fire, he said.

The DeKalb County Red Cross is helping some of the victims find food, shelter and clothing, which some of the victims were unable to salvage afterward, said Michelle Emmett, executive director of the DeKalb County American Red Cross.

The Red Cross is helping provide short term needs to the victims. Some local businesses are also aiming to help. Greenacre Cleaners, 1334 E. Lincoln Hwy., is offering discount prices on cleaning for some of the victim’s clothes that were damaged by smoke in the fire, Emmett said.

The Red Cross will also be providing checks for Wal-Mart based on the victim’s needs for supplies, and helping the victims find shelter and places to stay, she said.

Anyone interested in helping the victims can donate money to the DeKalb County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 2727 Sycamore Road, suite 2A.

Firefighters from Cortland, Waterman, Maple Park, Genoa-Kingston, Shabbona, Hinckley, Malta and Sycamore Fire Departments assisted with the fire and helped cover the DeKalb Fire Department’s incoming calls, according to the DeKalb Fire Department news release.