HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee -(WEDF) Hamilton County investigators said Richard Dillon,55, doused his home with gasoline and set it on fire following a domestic dispute with his live-in girlfriend.
It happened Friday night at 5104 Wesleyan Road.
According to police, Dillon's girlfriend tried to call 911 but he wouldn't let her. She eventually managed to get out the house. Once she was gone, authorities say Dillon set the home on fire.
John Montgomery is a next door neighbor who saw the flames and entered the house from the back. He thought people were inside and in danger.
"I get about 10-feet in and the back room was on fire. The house was full of smoke. I looked down the hallway and couldn't see anything then I came back out. She told me she saw Rick standing out front and that he was waving a gas can putting more fuel on the fire," Montgomery said.
Authorities say Dillon had been drinking when the fire was set.
Dillon was renting the home and the property owner says damages are estimated at $100,000.
Dillon was charged with Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Arson, Felony Reckless Endangerment, False Imprisonment and Interference with Emergency Calls.
His bond was set at $105,000 and his first appearance in court is scheduled for March 4th.
