JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- Jacksonville Beach Police have arrested a young woman who they say purposefully set her boyfriend's house on fire in an attempted homicide.
Neighbors say police were always at the home on 16th Avenue South because 37-year-old Shawn Duerfeldt and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Melissa Armer were always fighting.
Eddie Gagner was one of four people inside the home at the time, and he said he saw Armer snap.
Armer reportedly went outside and came back in the house with a rag and a stick attached to it. The rag was drenched with gasoline, and she ignited it, throwing it on her boyfriend's bed while he slept.
Everyone inside escaped with minor burns and smoke inhalation.
Now, Armer is being charged with attempted homicide-domestic violence, two counts of arson of an occupied dwelling and manufacture of a fire bomb. She was set to appear in court on Thursday.
The house is considered to be a total loss with an estimated $150,000 worth of damage.
The details of the case are still being investigated.
