A Maryland woman was arrested after police said she set fire her home with a person inside and watching the blaze from a lawn chair in the front yard.
Gail Metwally, 47, was charged with first and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree malicious burning, two counts of malicious destruction of property and two counts of reckless endangerment, according to a news release from the office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
Witnesses told police they saw Metwally set multiple fires within a home on Cherry Lane in Elkton, Maryland before sitting in a chair on the front lawn and watching the fire engulf the house, then walking away from the scene minutes later.
Witnesses heard an individual calling for help in a basement window when the fire took place. Bystanders assisted her out of the window to safety.
Metwally was observed in the area nearby Cherry Lane and detained by responding Cecil County Sheriff's Office deputies. She was transported to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack.
Responding Maryland State Fire Marshal deputies concluded that the fire was set by Metwally intentionally to the home she shared with three other people.
The woman rescued from the basement was also a resident. The other two residents were not at home at the time of the incident.
Metwally is currently being held at the Cecil County Detention Center pending a District Court Commissioner hearing, according to the news release.