Woman Seeking Revenge On Her Ex-Boyfriend Sets Fire To The Wrong House

Salisbury, North Carolina -- A woman’s effort to exact revenge on her ex-boyfriend backfired after she set the wrong house on fire in North Carolina.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Christie Louise Jones, may have targeted the wrong house in Gold Hill while trying to send a message to her ex-boyfriend.

The homeowner woke up Friday morning after a neighbor informed him about a fire on his property. The man rushed out of his house to grab a garden hose and found that bundles of wood were burning around a propane tank. Jones was still on the property at the time, according to AP News.

Officials said Jones had used Flex Seal to block the garden hose, because of which the homeowner failed to put out the flames himself, WBTV reported.

Jones was holding onto the leash of one of the homeowner’s dogs when the man confronted her with a rifle. The suspect “just mumbled” and brushed the homeowner as she drove away in her vehicle.

A dog was also stolen from the property, the Rowan County Sheriff's Office said.

Firefighters and deputies had nearly reached the house just as Jones escaped from the scene.

The homeowner managed to provide Jones’s license number as well as details about her vehicle to investigators. Officials found a jug of bar and chain oil on the property that they believe was used to set the blaze.

Investigators spoke to residents in the area, and one witness managed to identify Jones. They also said the suspect lives in Stanly County.

Deputies revealed that Jones’ intention was to set another property ablaze so she could take revenge on her former partner, who owned property in the same area, according to WCNC Charlotte.

Jones was eventually arrested at her home and charged with felony 1st-degree arson, felony 1st-degree larceny of horses, dogs, mules, swine & cattle, and misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon.

Her bond was set at $101,500 and she may face additional charges.

Investigators believe Jones had not met the targeted house’s occupants before the incident. The damages caused to the house and pool were estimated to be around $20,000.