Sep. 26—A woman was charged Thursday with first-degree arson after she allegedly set her ex-boyfriend’s house on fire in Hartselle because he declined to attend a concert with her, according to a Morgan County sheriff’s investigator’s affidavit.
Decatur resident Amy Beth Taylor, 46, was taken into custody and transported to the Morgan County Jail, where she is being held without bond.
The Sheriff’s Office responded to a residential fire on Peek Road in Hartselle Thursday and observed flames coming from a house. The Priceville Fire Department was already on scene battling the fire.
Deputies made contact with the property owner and three witnesses, some of whom live in a separate structure on the property.
“The witnesses advised that Amy Taylor, (the victim’s) ex-girlfriend, came to the property and walked in the shed where they were,” the affidavit said. “Witnesses stated that Amy Taylor was irate due to (the victim) not going with her to a concert (the day before).”
The affidavit said Taylor threatened to burn the shed or his house down, according to statements from the witnesses.
“Witnesses stated that shortly after Taylor made the threat to burn the shed and (the victim’s) home, she walked out of the shed,” the affidavit said.
A short time later, one of the witnesses said they received a phone call from an occupant of the house that her room was full of smoke, and when she opened the door, she noticed the rest of the house was full of smoke. The occupant was able to exit the residence and call 911, according to the affidavit.
Taylor’s Aniah’s Law hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Morgan County District Judge Shelly Waters’ court, which will determine whether she will be granted bond.
— wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.