Man arrested after allegedly setting fiancee's trailer on fire

A 52-year-old Valley Center man was arrested Friday night on suspicion of setting his fiancee's trailer on fire while she was inside, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

Marc Thompson was booked into Vista jail on charges of arson, vandalism, domestic violence and violation of a restraining order. Thompson's 83-year-old mother gave him a ride from the trailer but was not arrested, the Sheriff's Department said.

According to Lt. J.T. Faulkner, the incident began with a "verbal and physical argument" between Thompson and his fiancee, Christina English. Thompson then punctured the tires of English's car with a knife, poured gasoline on the entrance to the trailer and set it ablaze, Faulkner said.

As English jumped out of the trailer, her socks caught on fire. She managed to get the socks off; her only injuries were singed hair on her arms, Faulkner said.

Thompson was caught about five miles from the trailer, in the car with his mother, according to the Sheriff's Department. He was arrested without incident.

Valley Center is in the rural area of northern San Diego County.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego