Woman Charged with murder and arson in Brooklyn apartment fire death

A woman has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a man who perished in an apartment fire in Brooklyn late Friday night, - ABC News 7 reports.

Jennifer Rochard, 65, faces charges of murder and arson after firefighters discovered 70-year-old Vetus Roberts unresponsive in his bedroom.

Police were called to the scene around 11:15 p.m. on Friday following reports of smoke emanating from Roberts' apartment at 371 Monroe St.

Upon arrival, officers found Roberts unconscious. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to a source, Rochard was the victim's girlfriend.

"I smelled the smoke, and then my son ran up to everyone's door, banging on it to let them know to get out. We all ran out," a neighbor recounted.

FDNY marshals later determined that the fire had been intentionally set and that Roberts had been murdered, although the exact cause of his death remains unclear.

Rochard was taken to Woodhull Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.

The investigation is ongoing.