A woman attempted to burn down Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home, arriving with a gas canister and dousing the historic property in fuel Thursday.
Video from the brazen attempt shows a woman dressed in all black freely pouring gasoline on the home’s front porch, windows and bushes around 5:45 p.m., WSB-TV reported.
Two tourists from Utah viewing the home were able to intervene to stop the suspect, police said.
One witness recalled the suspect began to grow irritated after she was having trouble spreading the fuel around the property, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
The suspected arsonist was quickly detained by two off-duty NYPD officers who had been visiting the historical landmark and held her until Atlanta police arrived.
The off-duty officers jumped on the suspect after she pulled out a lighter and attempted to light it.
The suspect, 26, has been charged with criminal attempt arson and criminal attempt interference with government property.
Police have not released her name.
“That action saved an important part of American history tonight,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told WSB-TV.
Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry revealed the house could have burned down in moments if not for the witnesses stepping in to stop her.
“It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” DeBerry told WSB-TV.
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Approved ~ MJM
