News footage of the Oneals' house in Minoa, N.Y. (WSTM).
Police have charged a New York couple with several felonies after they allegedly set their own house on fire during an argument.
Dale Oneal, 49, and Aubree Oneal, 47, are in custody at the Onondaga County Justice Center after police said they intentionally set their house in Minoa, New York, on fire while their five children were inside. According to local NBC affiliate WSTM, first responders arrived at the home on the night of July 18 after getting a call about a fire. The fire had been extinguished by the time police and firefighters got to the home, but police noticed that the couple "appeared intoxicated."
Police said all five children, who were under 17 years old, were able to evacuate the house and were not harmed. When police spoke to the Oneals, they determined that the parents "took actions" that caused the fire on the second floor of the house.
According to reporting by local news outlet Syracuse.com, Aubree and Dale Oneal had been drinking that night. At some point, and for reasons not made clear by police, Dale Oneal allegedly poured gasoline on the floor. Aubree Oneal then allegedly ignited the flammable liquid with a lighter. Both parents knew their five children were all in the house.
Police said Aubree Oneal told them that she did not think the gasoline would catch fire. She also reportedly told police, "It's not an arson if nothing burned down."
The fire reportedly caused minor damage to the home.
Dale Oneal and Aubree Oneal were arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child, conspiracy, and arson. They are both still in custody and being held on $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash bail. Both are scheduled to appear in Manlius Town Court on July 24.
All five children were placed with relatives.