Inmate Sets Her Blouse Afire in Jail

A 28-year-old inmate from the County Jail at Las Colinas was in protective custody Friday after setting her clothes ablaze Thursday night, authorities said.

Lorenza J. Tenguelly was found by sheriff’s deputies at 9:15 p.m. Thursday in her cell with burns on her face, hands and stomach after a fire alarm went off, a sheriff’s spokesman said. She was alone at the time and no other inmates were assigned to her cell, the spokesman said.

Tenguelly, who was housed in separate quarters for potentially violent or mentally disturbed inmates, apparently used matches to set her blouse on fire, the spokesman said. Tenguelly was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center, where she was treated for second-degree burns. She was transferred to County Mental Health Center, where she remains under guard, the spokesman said.