Man Accused of Setting Girlfriend on Fire After Argument

A 37-year-old Pico Rivera man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder early Saturday after he allegedly doused his live-in girlfriend with a flammable liquid and set her on fire, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.

Ernie Foster and the 28-year-old woman, who had been living together in the 8000 block of Hasty Avenue, had been out drinking when an argument erupted, authorities said. Foster went home and set the woman’s clothes on fire, deputies said. When she arrived about 3 a.m., he turned on her with the liquid and a cigarette lighter, deputies said.

She tore off the burning clothes, ran away and telephoned a friend, who took her to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital. The woman was transferred to Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Bellflower, where she was listed in serious condition with first- and second-degree burns over 25% of her body, primarily her legs.

Foster was arrested without incident. In addition to attempted murder, he faces charges of arson, aggravated mayhem and other felonies, the spokesman said.