Local

Domestic violence in Westside home leads to garage fire

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Police said the scene on Lane Avenue South started with a domestic dispute between a couple, but it soon escalated into huge flames.

"We drove by and saw the house, smoke pouring out of every part of the house," said Shane Handke.

Witnesses said first they saw a woman covered in blood.

"She was sitting down on the sidewalk and just had her head down like this and all we could see is blood from her head all the way down to her chest," said Handke.

"The flame blew out of the window and from underneath the roof and then the whole place just engulfed in flames within minutes," said James Sirvent.

According to police, it started with an argument between the couple who lived inside the house.

Police said the woman was pistol whipped and ran out of the house brutally beaten.

"When she left, the husband then set the garage on fire," said Sgt. David Hall.

Witnesses said they saw the husband pacing in the yard with a gun, just before he surrendered to police.

The man is now in custody and police said he's facing charges of arson and domestic aggravated battery.

Witnesses said it's a scene they won't forget.

"This is the most craziest I've seen around this part of town, so it's definitely not something you see everyday," said Handke.

The state fire marshal is now investigating the case. The woman was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.