Feb. 12--One Weld County woman could be charged with first-degree arson after police say she tried to burn down a home just south of Gill with a lighter, and later tried to set fire to an ambulance.
First responders about 6 p.m. Thursday found Alecia Malpiede, 29, at a house fire in the 27000 block of Weld County Road 62, about a mile and a half south of Gill. The fire caused a great deal of damage to the home, according to an affidavit for Malpiede's arrest, scorching the furniture in one of its bedrooms and led to smoke and heat damage throughout the house.
When a paramedic asked Malpiede what happened, she said she used a lighter to try to set the house on fire. Not long after that, on the way to North Colorado Medical Center, Malpiede also tried to set fire to the ambulance she was riding in, according to the affidavit.
From her hospital room at North Colorado Medical Center, Malpiede confirmed her story to a Weld County Sheriff's deputy and Platte Valley Fire Chief Barry Schaefer. She was arrested without further incident.
The Weld District Attorney's office has until 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to file charges against Malpiede.
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