Woman Arrested After Attempting to Set MLK Jr.’s Birth Home on Fire

A woman was arrested after she attempted to burn down civil rights leader Dr. ✊Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta police said to Channel 2 Action News they were called to the historic home, located near the King Center, just after 5:45 p.m. Thursday.

When they arrived at the scene, two off-duty NYPD officers had already detained the suspect during their visit to the home.

Two Utah tourists who were visiting the home intervened after witnessing the unnamed woman, 26, who was wearing all black, pouring gasoline on the windows, bushes, and front porch.

One of the witnesses said she noticed the woman was irritated as she struggled to spread the fuel around the property.

“That action saved an important part of American 📜History tonight,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.

Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry told WSB-TV that if the witnesses didn’t stop the suspected arson, the landmark would have burned to the ground in moments.

“It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” DeBerry added.

The suspect was charged with criminal attempt arson and criminal attempt interference with government property.