Florida man accused of setting woman on fire in jealous rage

LANTANA, Fla. — A Florida man is accused of setting a woman on fire after discovering she was in an alleged relationship with his stepfather, authorities said.

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Luis Angel Quinonez, 53, of Lantana, is facing a charge of attempted first-degree murder, the Sun-Sentinel reported. He was arrested early Tuesday and is being held without bond at the Palm Beach County Jail, according to online booking records.

According to an arrest report, Quinonez is accused of pouring gasoline on Angelica Acosta Blanco, 61, and igniting her in flames on Monday night, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

Witnesses said they saw Acosta Blanco running from the house while on fire, the newspaper reported. They also said that while Quinonez was outside the home and holding a hose, he chose to point it at his burning home instead of the victim.

Quinonez told police he had never been in a relationship with Acosta Blanco but said he loved her, WPEC reported.

According to investigators, Quinonez said he would have killed his stepfather if he had been home at the time, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

Acosta Blanco was taken to an area hospital with second- and third-degree burns, and then flown to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for treatment, WPEC reported. She was in critical condition, the television station reported.

According to an arrest report, Quinonez said his mother died about a month ago and that Acosta Blanco was her caretaker. He added that Acosta Blanco was renting a room at his house. The man said he became angry when he discovered that Acosta Blanco was in a relationship with his stepfather, WPEC reported. Quinonez allegedly told police he had been drinking Monday night and became angered over their “romantic relationship.”

Quinonez said he warned Acosta Blanco that “she better not be home” when he returned home, police said.

According to deputies, Quinonez then walked to a nearby gasoline station and filled up a container, the Sun-Sentinel reported. When he returned to his home, Quinonez allegedly poured gas on Acosta Blanco and on her bed and used a lighter to ignite the fire, the newspaper reported.

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