BELFAST — A Searsport woman is facing several charges following the report of a car fire in the early hours of Friday, July 29. 

Samantha E. Rancourt, 37, was arrested following investigation into reports of vehicular arson in the parking lot of Penobscot McCrum, according to Belfast Police Detective Bryan Cunningham. 

Belfast Police received the report after an employee noticed that the tires of a coworker’s car were one fire. The two men were able to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher before any serious damage occurred, Cunningham said. 

Officer Eric Kelley responded to the scene, where witnesses stated they had seen someone leaving the area, running across the footbridge away from the parking lot.

Rancourt’s vehicle was stopped as it pulled out of Footbridge Road, headed toward Belfast. 

While Rancourt denied any involvement or knowledge of the fire, it was later discovered the owner of the vehicle is a former boyfriend. 

“The arson investigation is ongoing,” Cunningham said. 

Rancourt was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently arrested for operating under the influence, operating after revocation and violating conditions of release. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com