ALBANY, GA -
A fight between an East Albany husband and wife ends with a fire in their home. Firefighters were called to their home on South Street about 6:30 Tuesday night.
Investigators say 65-year-old Ernest Ward was asleep when 63-year-old Jo Anne Clipper threw a pot of boiling water on him and then stabbed him with a meat fork.
They say Ward then hit Clipper with the pot and locked himself in another room as Clipper set fire to a basket of magazines by the locked door.
Ward escaped by jumping out a window.
Firefighters say Clipper put out her obituary and desired funeral arrangements for them to find.
"While we were going through the house we found where she had set up for her funeral arrangements. We don't know if she had done that prior to that day, or if she had done it that day," said Investigator Sam Harris, Albany Police Department.
Clipper was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery. Ward is being treated at the Augusta Burn Center. The fire caused about a thousand dollars damage to the home.
Here is the narrative portion of the official Albany Fire Department Report-
Engines 3, 1, 5, Aerial 1, Battalion 2, and Truck 41 responded to 955 South St. for a structure fire. Engine 3 arrived to find a single story residential structure with light smoke showing from the front porch.
APD units were on the scene and advised that both occupants were out of the house and across the street.
Engine 3 used one 1-3/4" handline to conduct a primary search on the way to the seat of the fire. The search confirmed that no persons were in the home. Engine 1 was tasked with sending one firefighter to assist with initial attack and prepare for water supply if needed.
The fire was confined to the hallway and extinguished with less than 10 gallons of water. Aerial 1 was tasked with positive pressure ventilation.
Ms. Clipper voluntarily stated that she intentionally started the fire to harm Mr. Ward after she had poured scalding water on him causing severe burns just prior to the fire.
Mr. Ward broke the bedroom window out and crawled out the window to escape. Fire Investigator Harris and APD investigators responded to complete the investigation.
Once all investigations were complete, we removed the charred basket of magazines and debris to the outside and overhaul to ensure the fire was out.
Engine 3 crew closed all windows and doors opened for ventilation. Locked the doors to the home and left the scene with APD investigator.
We terminated command and returned to our station.
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