Woman Charged With Meth-Fueled Arson

Residents on Avenue E reported seeing a woman attempting to break into a garage, and on Monday, that woman was charged with arson for allegedly setting two fires during a meth-fueled fit of paranoia in January.  30-year-old Dana Bastian of Billings made her initial appearance in Yellowstone County Justice Court on one count of arson.  She was arrested Friday after investigators concluded she had intentionally started the fires on the 800 block of Avenue D.

Damage is estimated at $35,000.  Bastian was taken to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.  Firefighters determined there was nothing in the garages that could have started the fire accidentally.  Outside the building, authorities found a gas can with a cloth stuffed in the spout.  Homeowners reportedly took her in from the cold because she was not properly dressed, before she set the fires.