NICEVILLE — Candice Potter scanned the charred remains of her home Wednesday morning looking for anything she could salvage.
The Cadillac Avenue home she had lived in for more than a year with her live-in boyfriend was a total loss Tuesday night after what officials believe was an arson fire.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Potter said as she searched her home for items to take to her parent’s home. “I guess I’m just going to take what I can and then the house will be boarded up.”
Potter’s boyfriend, 31-year-old Andrew Kyle Denton, was charged with arson and misdemeanor battery.
The two got into an argument late Tuesday night after Potter accused Denton of taking five dollars out of her purse, according to Denton’s Niceville Police arrest report.
The two argued for several minutes when Potter told Denton she was leaving. Denton told her if she left he would, "burn this (expletive) down," referring to the house.
He went to the porch and grabbed a 5-gallon can of gasoline and called Potter back to their bedroom. He allegedly grabbed her scarf, dragged her back into their bedroom and threw her on the bed.
Once Potter was on the bed, Denton poured gasoline on the bed, floor and throughout the rest of the single-family house. He then lit the home on fire, the report said
Niceville Fire Chief Tommy Mayville said Potter was in the home when the fire began around 11:30 p.m., but escaped without injury. However, Potter’s 12-year-old cat Scott was killed in the flames.
“The home is a total loss, it’s not livable,” Mayville said. “Crews made an interior attack and kept the fire contained to the living room, kitchen and dining room.”
Niceville Fire along with North Bay Fire, Eglin Fire and East Niceville Fire knocked down the fire in less than 20 minutes.
Mayville said the Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating and samples have been sent to the lab to verify that it was an arson fire. According to Denton’s arrest report, damages to the home were estimated at $150,000.
Denton was found across the street from the fire by Niceville Police officers, who were the first on the scene. He was arrested on charges of arson and misdemeanor battery.
He is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 7 in Fort Walton Beach.
During an interview with officers, Denton said, "I feel badder about her cat than her."
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/suspected-46401-causes-damages.html
