A FloridaA woman is charged with setting fire to her husband’s house after returning to ‘rekindle’ their relationship, according to police.
Melissa Joann Dunham, 40, is accused of setting fire to the Homosassa residence on Monday morning following a heated dispute with her partner.
Citrus County Fire Rescue arrived around 10:30 a.m. and discovered the building completely surrounded by fire, which took approximately an hour to extinguish.
Firefighters examined the burned house and stated in a release that no one was present inside.
Authorities stated that the fire originated in the main bedroom of the house, Paxton Media reported.
Authorities state the fire was set on purpose, as they located Dunham at the location with a container of lighter fluid and multiple bags of personal items, according to the sworn statement obtained byLaw & Crime and Paxton Media.
The affidavit stated that the defendant was found carrying multiple bags, including a black Nike backpack, a white Marc Jacobs tote bag, and a black Calvin Klein tote bag.
“Resting in full sight on top of the white shopping bag was a big bottle of butane lighter fluid,” it went on.


Dunham’s 18-year-old son, whose identity remains undisclosed, informed authorities that his parents were divorced, although the 40-year-old had returned to live with them to commemorate his birthday.
The son also mentioned that Dunham wished to ‘reignite’ the relationship with her husband, but the idea of a perfect family collapsed as soon as she returned home.
The discussion continued, and the son mentioned that Dunham was upset because her husband was too occupied to spend time with her.
On the eve of the fire, Dunham is said to have lost control—using a hammer to create multiple holes in the wall and menacing her son with it, according to the reports.
Their son stated he chose to leave on the day of the fire, explaining that he didn’t wish to be caught in the middle of his parents’ unstable and ‘toxic’ relationship, as mentioned in the affidavit.
The statement also mentioned that the husband was outside the house charging his phone in the vehicle when he reportedly heard Dunham say: “Now we don’t have anything.”
A few moments after he witnessed the house surrounded by fire.
Following the fire, investigators searched Dunham’s residence and personal items under a search warrant, scanning the area for clues.

Authorities found more than six grams of methamphetamine, over 20 grams of marijuana, and needles that showed traces of methamphetamine.
Dunham faced multiple drug-related charges along with an arson accusation. She is currently detained without the possibility of bail.
She is scheduled to attend court on April 13.






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