A North Platte man has been charged with multiple felonies after he allegedly tried to light a residence on fire while his girlfriend and a small child were inside.

At around 5:21 p.m., on May 26, North Platte Police investigated a possible arson at a residence in the 2300 block of Rodeo Road.

It was reported to police that a resident of the home, James Peterson, had attempted set the house on fire.

According to witnesses, Peterson made comments that he was going to “burn the residence down,” while others were still inside.  He then held a lit lighter against a doorway inside the home, and a window on the outside of the residence.

Investigator John Deal said there were visible burn marks, but the girlfriend was able to put the fire out.

Witnesses also stated that Peterson took an aerosol can with a flammable fluid inside, sprayed it towards the woman and child and lit the lighter, causing the fluid to ignite.  The woman and child were able to move away from the flames and were not injured.

Peterson then left the residence and went to The Connection Homeless Shelter where he was contacted and placed under arrest.

He’s been charged with felony 1st degree arson, felony cruelty toward a child and felony 1st degree assault.

Peterson was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.