HARFORD COUNTY, Md. — An Edgewood woman is accused of intentionally setting the front porch of her home on fire while someone was still inside.
Members of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department, surrounding departments, and the Harford County Sheriff's Office all responded to the fire early Sunday morning.
Sheriff's deputies were first on scene and was able to put out the fire with fire extinguishers.
Once extinguished, deputies discovered the owner, Christina L. Beattie, was inside of her neighbor's home.
According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the neighbor reported that Beattie was staying with her after they had responded to an argument that occurred earlier between her and another man staying at the home.
The neighbor asked Beattie to stay with her while the man stays in the house.
20 minutes later, the neighbor told deputies that Beattie had left, and when she came back to her home, Beattie's house was on fire, and the man was still inside.
Deputy State Fire Marshal's were requested to conduct an investigation in which they determined the fire was intentionally set.
Beattie was charged with first and second degree arson, first and second degree malicious burning, and attempted murder.
