Albert Lea man charged with lighting woman on fire, house a ‘total’ loss

(ABC 6 News): UPDATE- An Albert Lea man has been charged with lighting a woman on fire inside the house on Seventh Street.

At 9 a.m., Albert Lea Fire Rescue and Albert Lea Police responded to 116 7th St W for a structure fire. When crews arrived, the home had heavy fire showing from the first and second floors. Two residents were in the garage indicating they had injuries.

According to court documents, the woman told police that 38-year-old Logan Michael Netzer threw an accelerant on her and lit her on fire.

The two had gotten into an argument because Netzer had called her by another woman’s name so she was upset.

During the argument, Netzer took a mixture of chemicals that he had mixed the night prior and threw it at her. He then used a butane torch and started the woman on fire, the complaint stated.

Netzer told her that they needed to leave so she left the house and went into a detached garage when officers arrived.

The woman sustained 3rd-degree burns to her hands and other more minor burns to other portions of her body. The woman was taken by ambulance to the emergency room in Albert Lea and was then flown to a burn unit in the Twin Cities, according to the court complaint.

Netzer was arrested and taken to the Freeborn County Adult Detention Center where he faces one count of first-degree assault. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 30.

The home has extensive fire damage and is considered a total loss.

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(ABC 6 News) – Officials are investigating a Wednesday morning house fire in Albert Lea as arson.

At 9 a.m., Albert Lea Fire Rescue and Albert Lea Police responded to the 100 block of 7th St W for a structure fire.

When crews arrived, the home had heavy fire showing from the first and second floors. Two residents were in the garage indicating they had injuries.

The two residents were treated one the scene, and one of them was taken to the hospital for further treatment. Fire crews remained on the scene for about 2 hours putting out hot spots.

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s office is assisting in the investigation.