Cops: Man Threw Gas on Wife and Set Her on Fire, Killing Her

(CBS NEWS) SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Authorities in New York say a man threw gasoline on his wife and set her on fire during an argument, killing her.

Police in Schenectady say a fire was reported Saturday morning at the home of Elizabeth Gonzales and Antonio Bargallo. Claire Morales, a neighbor, was awoken by her screams used a blanket to put out the flames on her burning clothes.

Officials say the 48-year-old Gonzales told police her husband threw gas on her and set her ablaze. She was airlifted to a hospital, where she died Sunday morning.

The current charges against the 69-year-old Bargallo include attempted murder. Police say the charge likely will be upgraded to second-degree murder.

“It was out of like, a horror movie. It was really scary,” Morales told CBS affiliate WRGB. “I woke up to her screaming, and I ran to the front porch and I saw her engulfed in flames. I just grabbed the first blanket I could and ran downstairs and tackled her, put her out.”

Morales has set up an online fundraising page to help Gonzales’ and Bargallo’s two children.

“They lost their mother, they lost their dog, they lost their dad, they lost their house, everything,” Morales added. 

“I hope to see that he gets what he deserves,” she said.

Bargallo is being held in the county jail without bail. It couldn’t immediately be determined whether he has a lawyer.