A Maryland woman is behind bars after police say she set her house on fire while someone was inside.
Delaware Online reports 47-year-old Gail J. Metwally, of Cecil County, was allegedly caught on video watching calmly as her Cherry Lane house burned down. Witnesses contacted the police Thursday around 1:15 p.m.
According to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, witnesses told police that Metwally set multiple fires at the home and then sat down on a lawn chair in the front yard while the house burned. A video taken by a bystander appears to show Metwally arguing with a male before the fire; the altercation turned physical when the unknown male poured water on the suspect. Minutes later, the fire erupted.
Witnesses said they heard a woman screaming from the basement shortly after. A shirtless bystander helped her to safety.
“She just lit the fu***** trashcan on fire and dumped it in the fucking living room,” an unknown person said during the video.
“I cannot actually believe my eyes. I cannot actually believe it. And she’s sitting there, just chillin’, watching the house go up in flames. Oh my God.”
Police found Metwally near the scene and detained her for questioning. She was taken to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack.
Metwally is now behind bars at the Cecil County Detention Center. She’s been charged with attempted murder, arson, assault, and related charges.
