Woman arrested after trying to set ex-boyfriend, home on fire
A Florida woman tried to set her ex-boyfriend and his home on fire, authorities said Wednesday.
During an argument Monday, Melanie Botts, 39, poured gasoline around the victim’s Palm Coast home and tried to pour gasoline on him, he told the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
No injuries were reported.
Deputies arrived to find an object on fire in the yard and smelled a strong odor of gasoline coming from the home, the sheriff ’s office said.
Botts had left the scene by the time deputies arrived, but was later arrested on charges of domestic battery, arson, criminal mischief, possession of buprenorphine, possession of amphetamine, and felony violation of probation.
She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and was being held on a $61,000 bond.
The victim told deputies Botts had arrived at his home, began arguing with him outside, went into the garage and grabbed the gasoline can.
“When the victim went inside, he could immediately smell gasoline and observed it poured throughout the home. He advised the can was sitting on the counter, with fumes emitting from the nozzle and actively burning,” according to a statement by the sheriff ’s office. “He then threw the can outside to prevent a fire inside the home.”
He said Botts then grabbed him and tried to pour some of the gas on him, then poured gas around the perimeter of his home.
“This is an example of how a domestic dispute can quickly escalate into a more critical situation,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I’m glad no one was hurt as this situation was, literally, extremely volatile. No relationship problem is worth escalating it to be arrested or losing your life. If you need help in a domestic situation call us or seek help through the Family Life Center before the situation becomes dire.”