DAYTON — A Dayton man was doused with flammable liquids and set on fire by a woman he’d tried to help.
Diane Mathis, 52, is facing aggravated arson and assault charges after flicking a lighter to ignite the flammable liquid she’s accused of pouring over the victim’s body.
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Isaac Dillard told News Center 7’s Mike Campbell that Mathis came to his house with his uncle when they both lost their homes due to tornado damage.
Now, he’s recovering from severe burns.
Dillard allowed his 59-year-old uncle and Mathis to live with him after tornadoes forced them out. But his uncle took off after an argument with Mathis, who then took her anger out on Dillard.
He said she began tearing up his house, and when he went to his bedroom to sleep, she began throwing water on him. Or so he thought.
Court documents show that it was flammable liquids, not water.
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When Dillard stood up, he said Mathis had a lighter in her hand and flicked it, setting him on fire.
He ran toward the front door and managed to put out the flames.
Dillard showed News Center 7 the bottle of rubbing alcohol she reportedly poured on him and spoke about what happened.
“A lighter,” he said. “She had a lighter in her hand. She was waiting for me to get up, and when I did, she lit it and it was like a bomb went off.”
We’re working to learn more about Mathis’ case and if she’s had previous issues with the law.
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Mathis is being held at the Montgomery County Jail after making her first court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
We’re also working on getting more information about the long recovery Dillard has in front of him.
