A woman allegedly started a fire in a housing complex in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where elderly residents had to escape by hanging from windows. Laquita Spears, who had been living in the building for weeks, set the blaze after a dispute with her father on January 13. The 48-year-old was evicted following an argument with her parents, prompting her to ignite the fire.

According to investigators, Spears had been exhibiting erratic behavior, including talking to herself, leading up to the incident. She reportedly screamed incomprehensible words at her father while setting fire to two different areas in the complex. The criminal complaint revealed that Spears used charcoal fluid and a Bic lighter to start a fire in her father’s apartment, shouting “burn motherf***** burn!” as she left him in the burning flat.

The father, referred to as “CT” in the statement, witnessed Spears lighting his coat and couch on fire. Despite his attempts to extinguish the flames, the fire quickly spread to other units in the complex, causing smoke inhalation and injuries to residents who had to evacuate on their own since the building lacked a sprinkler system.

Police noted that the housing complex primarily accommodated elderly and disabled individuals, making the situation even more dangerous. Spears, who had previous arson convictions, displayed escalating instability leading up to the arson attack. She has since been charged with arson and reckless endangerment.

In her statement to authorities, Spears admitted to squirting charcoal fluid on clothing and igniting fires in multiple locations within the apartment. While she claimed she did not intend to harm anyone, the fire unexpectedly spread, causing harm and endangering multiple residents.