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Woman accused of setting home on fire with person still inside and watching it burn from lawn chair

Gail J. Metwally was charged with attempted murder and multiple arson-related counts after witnesses alleged that they saw her setting a home on fire.

A Maryland woman was charged with attempted murder, arson and assault after witnesses said they saw her set a house on fire while a person was trapped in its basement. The person in the basement was able to escape.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal said that on April 29, witnesses observed Gail J. Metwally, 47, "setting multiple fires within the home" and then watching the home burn while she sat in a chair on the lawn.

Image: Woman charged with arson after being accused of setting her home on fire
The home fire that authorities claim was set in view of witnesses by Gail J. Metwally, 47, of Elkton, Md.Maryland State Fire Marshal's office

Metwally was arrested near the home in Elkton shortly after the incident and charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, first-degree assault and other counts, the fire marshal said in a statement.

In a Snapchat video that was verified by NBC News, a bystander recorded Metwally in what appears to be an argument with a man and a woman at the home.

After flames appear inside the home, and for multiple clips of the Snapchat video, Metwally appears to be sitting on a lawn chair and reading a book as the fire grows.

The fire marshal said bystanders helped a person who was trapped in the home and confirmed that a "total of 4 people resided in the home, including Metwally." The two residents aside from Metwally and the person in the basement were not home at the time.

In the video, the person holding the camera rushes toward the burning house and another person comes forward to assist a woman as she emerges from a basement window while smoke and flames pour from the roof and the upper floor.

The state public defender's office, which is representing Metwally, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to state records Metwally is being held without bond and is set to appear in court June 2.