Deputies with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a man, accused of breaking into a woman’s home in Roseboro, and dousing her with gasoline before setting her on fire.
The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. Saturday night, when a 911 call was placed, reporting a structure fire and a female injured at 719 N. Pine St., Roseboro.
Upon arriving on the scene, deputies and firefighters identified the victim as Courtney Witschger, 36, of Roseboro, suffering from burns to approximately two-thirds of her body. According to a press release from Capt. Marcus Smith, the victim stated that an individual that she identified as Franklin Faircloth, 29, had forced his way into her home and doused her in gasoline, then set her on fire. The suspect then fled the scene on a gray and red bicycle.
She was transported to an undisclosed trauma center to be treated for injuries sustained during the incident, Smith said.
The Fire Marshal’s Office and the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the scene, and consulted with the district attorney’s office, obtaining charges against Faircloth for first degree arson, first degree burglary, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence.