Arson at Papi Cuisine: Arrest in connection with fire in South Baltimore

A 47-year-old woman was arrested and charged with arson and related offenses in connection with a fire this week at the Papi Cuisine restaurant in South Baltimore.

Sheena Herring, of Baltimore, was arrested Thursday and taken to Central Booking, Baltimore City Police said Friday evening. According to police, she faces charges of second-degree arson, arson of a dumpster and malicious burning.

In a video of the incident shared on social media, a person can be seen walking past a dumpster, which appears to burst into flames minutes later. According to Papi Cuisine, the restaurant’s dumpster and a storage area were damaged in the fire.

The charges did not appear in online court records Friday night — although court records show Herring was also charged with drug possession this week. She did not have an attorney listed in this case.

Herring was indicted on arson and other charges in September but did not appear at her trial, according to court records.

Baltimore police had confirmed that the May 6 fire at Papi Cuisine was being investigated as an arson incident.

The restaurant also said on social media that a sprinkler system activated and brought the worst part of the fire under control. It reopened shortly afterwards.

Papi Cuisine, an Afro-Latino fusion restaurant, is located at 2 E. Wells St., beneath the 1901 South Charles loft apartments in South Baltimore.

The restaurant’s liquor license has recently been the subject of protests from neighbors who say the customers are being a nuisance.

This is a developing story.

Reporter Matti Gellman contributed to this story.

Cody Boteler is a reporter on The Banner’s Express Desk, covering breaking news, trending stories and things of interest in and around Baltimore. His work has appeared in The Baltimore Sun, USA TODAY, Baltimore Magazine and others.