Zalma man accused of trying to set his house on fire with girlfriend inside

A Zalma, Missouri, man attempted to set his house on fire Thursday while his girlfriend was still inside, according to police.

Mark J. Rohan, 36, was arrested Thursday by Bollinger County sheriff’s deputies and has been charged with second-degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

Deputies made contact with Rohan’s girlfriend about 5:30 p.m., according to a probable-cause affidavit written by Sgt. Nick Becker. She said she was packing a duffel bag to leave the house near the intersection of County Road 730 and Route TT after the couple had been in an argument, according to the affidavit. Rohan realized what she was doing and he went outside to grab a bucket of gasoline, Becker wrote. Rohan entered the house, dumped gasoline on the floor, grabbed a lighter off the nightstand and attempted to light the accelerant, Becker wrote.

The victim then tried to leave the house but Rohan grabbed her, leaving bruises on her arms and chest, according to the affidavit. She was able to get past Rohan and fled to his parents’ house on the same property, Becker wrote. Rohan chased after her and demanded she give him a food-stamp card, which she did, according to the affidavit.

Becker noted the house smelled strongly of gasoline and the floor of the house appeared wet. Rohan said he had spilled gasoline on the porch, Becker wrote.

“While speaking with Rohan, he appeared to be extremely impaired,” Becker wrote.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

Bollinger County Road 730 and Route TT, Zalma, MO