Man Burns Himself Allegedly Trying to Set Estranged Wife's Boyfriend's House on Fire

A Louisiana man who allegedly attempted to set the home of his estranged wife's boyfriend on fire ended up burning himself after the back door of the home didn't break.

Ernest Johnson and his wife, who has not been named, were in the process of getting a divorce, according to The Times-Picayune, and she had a new boyfriend. On September 29, she received a phone call from one of Johnson's relatives, who told her Johnson was in the hospital being treated for severe burns.

His wife told The Times-Picayune that Johnson said he'd been involved in a "freak accident" involving a cigarette and gasoline. However, she said the story never "added up" and her boyfriend noticed fire damage on the back door of his home when he went to let the dog out.

On the ground, the couple also found a broken bottle and a cigarette lighter, according to The Times-Picayune. Johnson's wife contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, who conducted an investigation of their own. Ultimately, authorities reasoned that Johnson created a Molotov cocktail and threw it at the back door, hoping it would break and the home would go up in flames.

However, Johnson's wife said the back door isn't breakable. When the incendiary device bounced off the door back at Johnson, it engulfed him in flames.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for Johnson's arrest, but at the time, he was still recovering in the hospital for what his wife was told were burns to 60 percent of his body. He was released from the hospital on Thursday and apprehended by officers that same day.

Captain Jason Rivarde, a spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, told The Times-Picayune that Johnson was charged with aggravated arson and violation of a protective order, stemming from a previous incident. Newsweek reached out to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office but did not receive a response in time for publication.

After Johnson was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna, Louisiana, Magistrate Commissioner Paul Schneider set his bond at $150,000 and issued another order of protection that barred him from contacting his wife.

While the couple had problems, including Johnson harassing her at work and stealing a cell phone, his wife was shocked that his behavior turned so violent.

In Louisiana, an aggravated arson charge carries a minimum sentence of six years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years. Two years of that imprisonment must also be served without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. If convicted, Johnson also faces a fine of up to $25,000.