Woman Accused Of Setting Another Woman On Fire, Bludgeoning Her

A 28-year-old woman accused of setting another woman on fire after spraying her with a flammable substance and bludgeoning the victim in a violent altercation in Iowa has been arrested, police said.

The incident happened around 4.30 a.m. Monday when Council Bluffs officers were called to the North 15th Street. They found a woman, identified as 37-year-old Christine Weilage, with severe burns on her body. She was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Police said that as per an investigation, Weilage was involved in a disturbance with the suspect, Lindsy Maves.

Investigators believe that the two women knew each other and were arguing over a guy at a residence in Council Bluffs. At some point during the argument, Maves reportedly sprayed a flammable substance on Weilage and lit her on fire. When a witness to the incident tried to put out the fire, Maves allegedly struck Weilage on her face with an unknown object, 3 News Now reported.

Maves fled the scene after the attack. On the other hand, Weilage, who suffered severe burns, managed to crawl a couple of blocks away to get help from a homeless shelter. The residents and the staff of the shelter alerted police and called an ambulance, the report said.

“It’s not only traumatizing for her but for the individuals who saw her come running to us. It’s horrific where we didn’t know if she was going to live or die. There’s a ripple effect, where they wonder if it could happen to them as well,” Brandy Wallar who works with the shelter said, according to 6 News.

Weilage was taken to a hospital after first-aid. She is currently undergoing treatment at St. Elizabeth’s in Lincoln for her severe burns.

Maves was taken into custody Monday evening and was booked into Pottawattamie County for attempted murder, first-degree arson, and willful injury. The Council Bluffs police say the investigation is still underway and the woman is being questioned.

Last month, a woman in Ohio was arrested for setting her husband on fire over an argument about using a phone. Tiffany Hall, 36, was charged with aggravated arson and felonious assault for allegedly throwing gasoline on her 62-year-old husband and setting him ablaze during the domestic dispute.

The husband suffered extensive burns and ran to a neighbor's house for help. He was later transported to a hospital for treatment.