Woman Tries to Ignite Miami-Dade, FL, Rescue Vehicle
A woman tried to light a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vehicle on fire over the weekend, according to police.
On Saturday morning, a bystander saw a woman trying to start a fire in the gas tank of a rescue vehicle, which was parked in the 200 block of 73rd Street in Miami Beach, an arrest affidavit said.
When officials returned to their vehicle, the witness shared the video that “clearly identifies the defendant” with a paramedic firefighter.
The footage showed a woman removing the fuel cap, stuffing debris in the gas tank and using a lighter to start a flame, the affidavit said. She was unsuccessful, possibly because the bystander who recorded the video confronted her.
The woman, who was identified as Leyla Lavirineko, 48, was found four blocks away at a bus stop. She was homeless and had a glass pipe in her pocket, according to police.
Lavirineko is facing one count of first-degree attempted arson and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use, court records show. She is being held on a $15,000 bond at the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center
She pleaded not guilty to both charges and waived her arraignment, according to a written plea filed Sunday.
The Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office is representing Lavirineko. General Counsel Guy Robinson said Monday the office had no comment on her case.
©2026 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.