Woman facing eviction sets herself, apartment building on fire
Fire officials say a woman facing eviction from her Northern California apartment poured gasoline over her body and set herself on fire in a blaze that nearly killed her and almost destroyed the four-unit property where she lived.
Fire investigator Cyndi Foreman said the woman doused herself in gasoline, lay down on her bed and activated a lighter, igniting the Sunday evening blaze.
Foreman says 44-year-old Melissa McMullin’s son dragged her out of the room and saved her life.
She says McMullin is hospitalized with third-degree burns. Her son was treated for smoke inhalation. No one else was hurt.
Fire officials estimated damage to the property to be as much as $500,000 because of the extensive damage to the building and belongings in the four apartments.
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