ALVA, Fla. — A woman who is recovering from serious burns says that her husband drenched her in gas and lit her on fire for dancing with another man at a party they both attended.
WTSP reports that Wilhelmina Pontoon was medi-flighted to Tampa for treatment on burns to her torso, face, arms and neck. When she woke, she told authorities that her husband, Kizer James Pontoon, was responsible.
The husband had previously told authorities a different story: the couple had returned home to retrieve his cigarettes, and as he lit one, his wife caught fire.
The wife alleged that they had been at a party where her husband became angry over her dancing with another man.
When they left the party, her husband grabbed her and dragged her by the hair, punching her and grabbing her throat. Once they were home, she tried to call police but her husband prevented her and smashed the phone.
He then dragged her into the bedroom, retrieved two knives and threatened to kill them both.
The wife said she managed to get away and make an attempt to flee to neighbors, but her husband stopped her before retrieving a can of gas. He poured the gas on her and lit her on fire with a lighter.
After the husband was arrested, he changed his story to say that the incident was an accident. The two had come home from the party with no issue, and decided to build a bon fire. He said he accidentally splashed his wife with gas and then also accidentally lit her on fire with a cigarette.
The wife also said that her husband confronted family members and advised them to tell emergency responders that the fire had been an accident. She also said that he threatened to kill her if he was arrested, then commit suicide.
Kizer Pontoon is currently incarcerated at Lee County Jail under no bond, and has a hearing scheduled Friday.