BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A woman suffered several burns to her chest and throat on Friday after she was trapped inside a Merritt Island home that was on fire, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office and Brevard County Fire Rescue responded to the home, where first responders helped the woman out of the residence.
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According to a probable cause affidavit, a neighbor said that he was told by the woman that William Clements Jr., 66, had set the fire.
During an investigation, the woman told deputies that in February she woke up to Clements on top of her and that he had punched her in the face several times, causing her front tooth to fall out, the affidavit said.
He had also zip-tied her hands and kept her inside a bedroom, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Deputies said they were shown photos of the woman that showed her front tooth missing and bruises around her eyes and cheeks.
Clements faces charges of aggravated battery causing harm/disability and false imprisonment.
No charges have yet been filed in connection to the fire, termed by authorities as arson, but an investigation is ongoing, officials said.
