Man sets woman on fire in jealous rage after discovering her “romantic relationship” with his stepfather

A Florida man set a woman on fire in a jealous rage after learning she was in a sexual relationship with his stepfather, authorities said.

Luis Angel Quinonez, 53, was arrested early Tuesday on one count of attempted murder after he allegedly doused 61-year-old Angelica Acosta Blanco in gasoline before setting her alight.

First responders were called to the 7100 block of San Castle Boulevard in Lantana at around 10:30pm Monday evening following reports that a home was on fire.

Horrified neighbors told WPEC that they saw Blanco running from the home covered in flames with her skin visibly peeling away. Another said the woman’s face was so badly burnt that “all you could see were the whites of her eyes.”

According to witnesses, Quinonez grabbed a hose from a neighbour as Blanco fled from the property. However, he ignored the flames engulfing her, and instead started spraying water at the burning home.

As firefighters arrived to find Blanco covered in second- and third-degree burns, Quinonez was reportedly still trying to hose down the fire inside the residence.

Quinonez was detained at the scene after Blanco told witnesses that he was the person who had set her on fire.

Blanco was flown to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for treatment, where she was said to be in critical condition Tuesday.

During questioning, Quinonez reportedly told investigators that he set fire to Blanco and his home after becoming enraged about her “romantic relationship” with his stepfather, Feliberto Alvarez.

Quinonez allegedly told deputies he was jealous of the relationship because he was also in love with Blanco, although his feelings were not requited.

Blanco had reportedly been living at the family’s home for several years, having cared for Quinonez’s mother until the woman died just over a month ago.

Quinonez said he found out about the relationship earlier on Monday and demanded Blanco pack her things and leave before he got back later that evening.

The 53-year-old told detectives that he then filled up a container with gasoline at a nearby gas station on his way home.

When Quinonez returned to find Blanco hadn’t left, he reportedly poured the gasoline over her as she lay in bed, before setting her on fire using a lighter.

He also admitted he’d been drinking earlier that evening, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report.

Quinonez told investigators he wished he had killed his stepfather, who was not home at the time, instead. He also confirmed that he and Blanco had never been in a sexual relationship.

When detectives asked if he knew that the incident could have killed the woman, Quinonez replied, “I know.”

Quinonez has several previous arrests and convictions for domestic violence and battery charges, according to the Palm Beach Post.

In 2010 and 2007, he pleaded guilty to battery for attacking different family members in the home. Arrest reports indicate that alcohol was a factor in both cases, the newspaper reported.

In the other arrests, all involving some type of battery, the charges were dropped after he sought treatment at a mental-health facility, court records show.

Quinonez is being held without bond in the Palm Beach County Jail on an attempted first-degree murder charge.