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Fort Worth Couple Escapes Burning Home, Neighbor Arrested For Arson

FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD) - A Fort Worth couple escaped the fire that consumed their home early Tuesday morning and their neighbor has been charged with arson.

Neighbor arrested for Arson

At 6:30 a.m., fire units were dispatched to the dwelling in the 3400 block of Nies Street, located near Airport Freeway and N. Riverside Dr.

"It was a domestic dispute between neighbors," said Batallion Fire Chief Donald Clark. "Allegedly, one of the neighbors came over and put some type of accelerant on the porch and lit it."

According to Clark the couple was sleeping inside, heard breaking glass and ran out, unhurt. The fire gutted the house and killed the family cat.

"It's a very heinous crime, I've only seen it one other time in my career" said Clark.

Based on evidence collected at the scene and information from a witness, the suspect was subsequently arrested on probable cause for Arson of a habitation.

Arson of a habitation is a felony of the first degree, punishable by a prison term of 5 to 99 years and/or a fine not to exceed $10,000.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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