A Maryland woman was taken into custody after setting fire to her own home and then sitting down in a lawn chair to watch it burn. Gail Metwally, 47, was arrested by police in Elkton after allegedly starting several blazes inside the house while someone was still inside. She has since been charged with several arson charges as well as attempted murder, People reports.
CECIL COUNTY WOMAN CHARGED WITH ARSON AFTER HOUSE FIRE
A woman sat in a lawn chair after setting her home on fire and watched the house become engulfed in flames. She then walks away while another person was inside. Bystanders later rescued the occupanthttps://t.co/iJcCN2ebpu pic.twitter.com/zCYhWeObRZ
— Maryland State Fire Marshal (@MarylandOSFM) April 30, 2021
- The fire was set on April 29 just after noon. Deputy State Fire Marshals responded to the property after several witnesses reported seeing a woman, later identified as Metwally, “setting multiple fires within the home and then sitting in a chair on the front lawn, where she watched the fire engulf the home,” according to an arrest warrant. Neighbors even took video footage of Metwally sitting in her lawn chair as the fire burned.
- Metwally eventually walked away from the scene. According to a few minutes, after watching the property burn for a few moments, Metwally got out of her seat and walked away from the house as the fire continued to burn. However, she didn’t get very far and authorities were soon able to apprehend and arrest her.
- The person who was left in the house escaped safely. The arrest warrant continued: “While the home was on fire, witnesses heard an occupant in a basement window yelling for help. Bystanders safely assisted her out the window.” It was later revealed that the woman in the basement was one of Metwally’s three housemates and that the other two were not at home at the time of the fire.
- Metwally, who suffers from mental health issues, now faces a host of charges. She’s charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, and first-degree assault, plus two counts of first-degree malicious burning, two counts of malicious destruction of property, and two counts of reckless endangerment. “While responding to the scene, Cecil County Sheriff’s Office observed Metwally in the area, where she was detained and transported to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack,” the statement explained. It’s unclear whether a plea has been made, but none has been made public.
