A New Smyrna Beach woman faces multiple charges including battery against an elderly person and assaulting a police officer following a weekend residential fire that caused major damage to a two-story home on North Atlantic Avenue.

Domestic Dispute Precedes Blaze

Elyssa Rouse was taken into custody after authorities responded to a domestic disturbance call at the North Atlantic Avenue residence. Law enforcement officials arrived at the property approximately 20 minutes before flames engulfed the structure. The sequence of events raises questions about the circumstances leading to the fire, though investigators have not yet released details connecting the domestic incident to the blaze that followed.

When firefighters reached the scene, they encountered heavy flames shooting from the roof of the large two-story residence. Crews worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighboring properties in the area. While they successfully protected surrounding structures, the home itself sustained extensive damage. The quick response by emergency personnel likely prevented what could have become a more widespread disaster in the residential neighborhood.

Multiple Criminal Charges Filed

Rouse now faces serious criminal charges stemming from the incident. Authorities charged her with battery against an individual aged 65 or older, a charge that carries enhanced penalties under Florida law designed to protect senior citizens from violence. She also faces charges of battery against a law enforcement officer, suggesting a confrontation occurred during her arrest or the investigation. These charges indicate the situation involved violence against multiple individuals before fire crews arrived on scene.

Community Impact and Investigation

The incident has left residents in the North Atlantic Avenue area shaken, with a major residential fire occurring in their neighborhood. Fire investigators continue examining the cause and origin of the blaze. The timing between the domestic dispute call and the fire’s outbreak will likely factor prominently in the ongoing investigation. New Smyrna Beach authorities have not released information about potential additional charges related to the fire itself or whether arson investigators have been called to examine the scene. The elderly victim’s condition and relationship to Rouse remain undisclosed as the investigation proceeds.