Dispute blamed in arson attempt

A Fort Wayne man is accused of trying to set his house on fire Monday because he was upset with his wife.

Jeff Rinehold, 52, of the 900 block of Home Avenue, was preliminarily charged Tuesday with attempted arson and criminal recklessness.

Police were called to the Rineholds’ home on a report of a domestic dispute. The woman told police the two had been arguing for several days.

When she went upstairs to go to bed, Rinehold told her he was going to set the house on fire. When she tried to leave, she saw Rinehold crumpling newspapers and putting them under the couch and coffee table, court papers said.

Rinehold then lit the newspapers and told his wife they would burn together, the affidavit said.

Police said they found part of the carpet beneath the coffee table had been charred and melted.

Rinehold told police he lit the newspapers because he was angry at his wife, court papers said.

He was released on $10,750 bond.