Ohio mother was at home with her four children on Saturday morning, but a hellish turn of events has landed her behind bars on a $2 million bond

Hawa Hassan, a 30-year-old resident of Columbus, is currently being held on a $2 million bond following her arrest for allegedly setting fire to the apartment where she lived with her four children. The situation unfolded on the morning of May 2, leading to a significant emergency response at the Wedgewood Apartment complex. Firefighters were dispatched to the building, which is located in the 3700 block of Eakin Road in the Holly Hill neighborhood, at approximately 8:15 AM.

It is a relief that the four minor children were able to escape the unit safely and remained uninjured during the incident, though the potential for a much worse outcome was extreme given the conditions. The investigation into the blaze began shortly after crews arrived on the scene and discovered multiple people inside the multi-unit building. According to a criminal complaint affidavit, investigators quickly determined that the fire was started intentionally within one of the bedrooms of the apartment.

This is a heavy situation to process, but the details provided by authorities and witnesses paint a clear picture of how the event transpired. According to People, one witness at the scene reported encountering the children, who stated that their mother had used a lighter to ignite the fire. The same witness noted that the children claimed their mother said she was “going to kill them all” before the fire spread.

Imagine hearing your own mom say she’s ‘going to kill you all’

Another witness at the complex reported hearing the building alarms and hearing Hassan herself stating that she had set the apartment on fire. When police arrived and began their investigation, they interviewed Hassan, and she reportedly admitted to the officers that she was the one who started the fire. This admission corroborated the accounts provided by those who witnessed the scene and heard the statements made by the children.

This dangerous situation mirrors a case where a mother was convicted of murdering her daughter after trying to blame another child, illustrating how domestic disputes can quickly become fatal. The presence of multiple occupants, including the children, at the time created a substantial risk of serious physical harm due to the smoke, heat, and fire conditions that developed within the unit. Following the investigation, Hassan was taken into custody and is now facing serious legal consequences.

She has been charged with felony aggravated arson, which is a first-degree charge, as well as two misdemeanors for assault and domestic violence by assault. Online jail records confirm her current status, and she is scheduled to make a court appearance on May 12 to address these charges. It remains unclear at this time if she has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf regarding the incident.

The aftermath of the fire has resulted in the four children being placed into the custody of Franklin County Children’s Services. It is a difficult transition for any family, and records indicate that Hassan and her husband divorced in 2025, adding another layer of complexity to the family history. The Columbus Division of Fire and local police worked efficiently to contain the situation once they were alerted to the blaze at 8:15 AM.

While the physical structure of the apartment was compromised by the intentional fire, the most important outcome is that the children were able to get out of the apartment safely. For now, the focus remains on the legal process as it moves through the Franklin County Municipal Court system. The $2 million bond reflects the gravity of the charges and the risks associated with the incident. It is always a sobering reminder of how quickly a living environment can turn dangerous.

As of now, the situation is being handled by the judicial system, and the children are being cared for by the appropriate county services.