Tessa Kraus arrested in Greeley, Colo., April 16,

transferred to Morgan County

SIDNEY -- The Sidney Police Department, Sidney Fire Department and the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a house fire at 1125 6th Ave. at about midnight Saturday, April 13. 

The house was not occupied and no injuries were reported.

The Sidney Fire Department is working with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office investigating the circumstances of the fire.

At about 1 a.m. Sidney firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire near 1124 6th Ave. Sidney police and Cheyenne County Sheriff's deputies also responded. The house was known to be the residence of Tessa Kraus and Aulton Burnett. 

According to the arrest affidavit, neighbors stated there were children in the house. Police officers reported seeing a woman later identified as Tessa Kraus, 30, standing in the doorway of the house. According to the arrest affidavit, Kraus was heard yelling "Help! My baby is inside." Officers tried to remove her from the doorway but she refused. She was removed from the residence and seen running north on 6th Avenue.

Officers entered the house and did not locate anyone. Once firefighters arrived, law enforcement began searching for Kraus. One neighbor reported seeing a woman at the front door of the house who said there were propane bottles in the house. He also saw officers trying to get her away from the house. 

At about 12:40 a.m., Officer Lovato was contacted by Zackary Radkey who said he is friends with Burnett. Burnett is currently living in Omaha, Neb., according to the arrest affidavit. The affidavit says Burnett told Radkey  Burnett had in the past awakened to the house covered in gasoline. The arrest affidavit also says Burnett confided in Radkey of Kraus keeping Molotov cocktails in her backpack.

An arrest affidavit was filed April 16 against Kraus on charges of Second Degree Arson (Class III Felony), Terroristic Threats (Class IIIA Felony), Possession of a Destructive Device (Class IV Felony) and Obstructing a Peace Officer (Class I Misdemeanor).

Kraus was arrested by Greeley (Colorado) Police on April 16. She has since been moved to Morgan County, Colorado. The Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department has placed a hold on her as well.