Arson report: Man told woman to leave, 'dog was there first'

Published August 03, 2016

Mississippi authorities say an argument about a dog apparently led to a woman setting fire to her boyfriend's clothes, starting a blaze that destroyed his house.

Pike County Sheriff's Department Chief Investigator Greg Martin says 47-year-old Lawanzie Devall remains in jail Wednesday, with bond set at $5,000 on an arson charge.

He says in a news release that homeowner Robert Johns told investigators Devall woke him Monday "cursing him out about his dog."

"Johns said he told her that his dog was there first and she could leave," Martin says.

The fire was reported at 2:15 p.m. Monday in the community of Fernwood.

The Enterprise Journal (http://bit.ly/2agaQzR ) reports that Johns escaped without injury.

Martin said he did not know whether Devall has an attorney who could comment

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/arson-report-man-told-woman-to-leave-dog-was-there-first