Doctor Arrested in Firebombing of Wife’s Home
A 42-year-old physician was arrested Monday on suspicion of trying to set his estranged wife’s home ablaze with a homemade explosive device, authorities said.
George Korol, whose home address is unknown, was taken into custody about five hours after the small fire began at 5:15 a.m. Monday, said Sgt. Mike Shanahan of the Tustin Police Department.
A witness called 911 after seeing someone throw a device at the home of Shelly Korol, 35, in the Briarwood Condominium Village in the 16800 block of Donwest Court, Shanahan said. The wooden patio, shrubbery and the front of the condominium were splashed with flammable liquids, said Capt. Dan Young of the Orange County Fire Authority. The fire was quickly extinguished.
The external walls of the house, made of stucco and less flammable material, prevented the fire from spreading, Young added.
“There was enough liquid poured outside to burn down the place,” Young said. “It certainly could have been a much bigger fire if there wasn’t an immediate response.”
Shanahan said the device “looked like some sort of crudely made Molotov cocktail.”
Shanahan said Korol was recognized by a patrol officer who saw him walking near Irvine Boulevard and B Street.
Korol was being held at Orange County Jail with bail set at $50,000, Shanahan said. Authorities said they still are investigating the case.
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