Authorities: Woman drinks beer after setting friend's house on fire
FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. - A woman intentionally set fire to a shed that quickly spread to a house with a man inside after he asked her to leave, according to the Rome Fire Department.
Norma Jeanne Thornton, 44, was arrested for first-degree arson for intentionally setting the fire with Bernard Lewis inside, according to authorities.
"By the time I saw it I went out there and I got a hose," said Bernard Lewis who is the homeowner. "I was hysterical, didn't know what to do."
Thornton was allegedly bragging to neighbors and admitted to setting the fire, according to Rome Fire officials.
"I heard her say, 'I did it' you know like she was boasting," said neighbor, Tyrone Griffin.
Griffin shot video of Thornton drinking a beer outside her friend's home as it was on fire.
Thornton was also arrested for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Lewis said he would help Thornton, who officials said is homeless, by giving her a place to stay and food. Lewis said when he told Thornton he could no longer help her and that she had to leave, she became agitated.
"Everybody needs a hand in this day and time. I do what I can, but I do have a limit and I think I reached the limit now," said Lewis.
Firefighters said the fire was set in the rear of the house, where a shed went up in flames. The house's structure was built in the 1960's and the fire spread quickly. Investigators believe the house is unlivable and will have to be torn down.
"The fire spread so quickly it got into the attic," said Mary Catherine Chewning with the Rome Fire Department. "We did find a gas can that matched some other evidence that we have."
Lewis said he lost everything and is working to rebuild his home. Thornton is in jail, has 30 mug shots for prior arrests, and was greeted by name at the jail, according to police.