Thursday, June 09, 2011

Woman arrested after setting half acre of brush on fire to get help unlocking car

A Fresno woman was arrested early on Friday after she set a half acre of brush on fire to attract help getting inside her locked car north of Santa Clarita, according to the sheriff's office.

Jena Liberty, 48, had locked her keys in the car at about 4 a.m., said Lt. Joe Efflandt of the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station.



She tried to use a freeway callbox, but said it was disconnected. "To get attention, she decided to set the hillside on fire," Efflandt said. "And she got our attention."

The fire burned about a half-acre of brush before it was quickly put out by firefighters. No injuries were reported. Liberty, who was on her way to Manhattan Beach, was arrested and booked on suspicion of arson.

3 comments:

Insolitus said...

I'm glad the stupid, reckless woman was arrested, but I kind of wish there had been a little more poetic justice in the story. I mean, it would have been brilliant if the fire she started had spread and scorched her car.

arbroath said...

Heh heh, yes!

Anonymous said...

How stupid can someone be? "I'm locked out of my car so I'll start a fire"!? Hope she gets prosecuted.

Reminded me of the English guy who set fire to a Spanish National park to try and help rescuers find him and his wife after they managed to get themselves lost:

http://live.kyero.com/2011/03/14/briton-jailed-and-fined-e10m-for-starting-forest-fire/