Man Sets Home Ablaze With Wife, Children Inside: Police

HOUSTON, TX — A man who investigators said intentionally set his home on fire with his wife and children inside over the weekend, was arrested and charged with arson and child endangerment. Jimmy Klayton Lauder, 31, is being held without bond in the Harris County Jail.

Investigators with the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office were called at about 5 a.m. Saturday to the 12000 block of Rockharbor Lane, in northwest Harris County for an arson investigation.

Investigators learned that Lauder came home highly intoxicated and allegedly threatened his wife. Lauder's wife told investigators she went up stairs to get away from her husband.

A short time later, she said she heard the smoke alarm in her home and called 911 for help.

"We are extremely grateful that no one was injured in this fire and that the female victim and her two children are safe," said Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen. "The Harris County District Attorney's Office has accepted the charges of arson and child endangerment."

Officials said Lauder poured gasoline in kitchen and sit the home on fire. Firefighters were able to quickly get the family out of the home and extinguish the fire in the kitchen.

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Image: Harris County Fire Marshal's Office

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