Woman allegedly sets roommate on fire over argument about spaghetti and meatballs

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Thursday, October 23, 2014
Melissa Sellers, 33, was arrested after an argument over spaghetti and meatballs led to her allegedly lighting her roommate on fire.
Sellers after being arrested in 2008.
Woman allegedly sets roommate on fire over argument about spaghetti and meatballsMelissa Sellers, 33, was arrested after an argument over spaghetti and meatballs led to her allegedly lighting her roommate on fire.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office / Shutterstock

Melissa Sellers, 33, was arrested after an argument over spaghetti and meatballs led to her allegedly lighting her roommate on fire.

According to ABC Action News Tampa, Sellers and her roommate 42-year-old Carlos Ortiz Jr. had been drinking and began arguing after Ortiz had thrown out Sellers' spaghetti and meatballs. Police say the altercation then escalated, with Sellers dousing Ortiz's body with nail polish remover, and then igniting him. Sellers then threw water on Ortiz and tore his shirt off in an attempt to put out the fire.

"She had quite a temper. I think she broke a few windows over here," Oritz's friend Katherine Mudse said.

Sellers was originally charged with attempted murder due to the nature of the injuries, but now has been reported to be charged with aggravated battery instead. Neighbors and friends of Ortiz are saddened by the incident, saying that Ortiz was a good person and was just looking out for Sellers.

"He's just a nice man . . . he took care of her dogs, she got evicted," Mudse said.

Ortiz is being treated at Tampa General Hospital and is listed in critical condition with burns to his face, chest and shoulders. Sellers had previously been arrested for battery and robbery.