Man Abused Estranged Wife, Then Lit Home On Fire, Prosecutors Say
BROCKTON (CBS) – A man is accused of pouring gasoline around a Brockton rooming house and setting it on fire after prosecutors say he abused his estranged wife early Tuesday.
The fire department got a call for a fire at a house on Highland Street around 2:30 a.m.
Everyone inside escaped, but two women were taken to Brockton Hospital because they were having trouble breathing due to smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were able to douse the flames quickly and damage was minimal.
During the investigation, they learned police were at the house for a domestic incident about 30 minutes before the fire started and that a man involved had left.
Matthew Eldredge was allegedly beating his estranged wife, Nicole.
It was later discovered Eldredge came back after the alleged attack and poured gasoline all the way around the building and in front of all doors before igniting it, the fire department told WBZ-TV.
"She opened the door and the whole front door was in flames," said building owner Warren Dougan
"The girl said he was out here saying 'I'll get you all, I'll get you all.' Then one of them realized he had a 5-gallon gas tank in his hand. He tried to kill everybody in the house."
Eldredge was charged with attempted murder and ordered held without bail.
The fire caused $40,000 in damages.
Nicole said the abuse began shortly after she and Eldredge were married.
"I feel relieved that if anything he gets the help he needs. Out here, he doesn't belong out here. He's a menace," she said.
