1/12/2008

A Chattanooga woman was arrested Saturday (1-12-08) in connection with a car fire at 4507 Terra Vista Drive.  The incident began around 4:30 a.m.  51-year-old Gayle Winfrey was apparently angry with her boyfriend, who was more interested in sleeping than in participating in the argument.  According to Lieutenant Anthony Moore with the Fire Investigation Division, Ms. Winfrey decided to set fire to her boyfriend's car, using gasoline and a stick of incense.  The details all came out in a confession shortly after the fire.

After setting the car on fire, Ms. Winfrey said she went back to her boyfriend, telling him that he "might want to get some marshmallows."  When he still showed no interest in getting up, Ms. Winfrey evidently panicked and tried to put the fire out with a small fire extinguisher, but by that time the flames were just too intense.  Chattanooga firefighters arrived moments later and quickly put the fire out, but the car was considered a total loss.

Lt. Moore charged Ms. Winfrey with Reckless Endangerment and Setting Fire to Personal Property.  She was then transported to the county jail for booking.

###