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Woman accused of setting fire to another woman in apartment

News

January 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a woman was set on fire by another woman at the apartment they shared in Burlington. Des Moines County court records say 51-year-old Deborah Powell is charged with domestic assault, willful injury and reckless use of fire. County jail records show Powell remained in custody Tuesday. Court documents say Tammy Speights told officers she and Powell had been arguing early Friday morning and that Powell sprayed her with rubbing alcohol and lit her on fire.

Police say Speights was taken to West Burlington hospital before being transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. The documents say Powell told police that Speights may have set herself aflame by falling asleep with a lit cigarette.