Police: Man Set House On Fire, Tried To Kill Ex-Wife With Ax

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NORFOLK (CBS) – A 71-year-old man is accused of trying to kill his ex-wife with an ax and setting her house on fire in Norfolk.

A woman called 911 saying that she was locked in her bathroom because her ex-husband tried to kill her. Then, she called back frantically screaming that he set the house on fire.

Officers responded to the home at about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and found 71-year-old Allen Stotts standing in the driveway holding an ax.

Norfolk Firefighters work to extinguish blaze man allegedly set during murder attempt (Image from Norfolk FD)

Stotts allegedly told officers he had tried to kill his ex-wife with the ax but missed so he set the house on fire with gasoline.

The victim was able to escape the home uninjured and was helped by a passing motorist.

Stotts is charged with attempted homicide, arson, intimidation of a witness, assault and malicious destruction. He will be arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Thursday morning.