Talk about a heated argument.

A West Valley City woman who lit a couch on fire during a fight with her live-in boyfriend is now charged with first-degree felony arson after the flames spread and burned a significant portion of their house down.

The 31-year-old woman and her boyfriend began arguing at their home near 4500 South and 3600 West on the evening of Oct. 26, according to charging documents filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court.

The woman allegedly starting throwing furniture and breaking other items in the house, charges state. She then lit pieces of mail on fire and ignited a couch for emphasis during the argument.

She tried to extinguish the flames, but the fire quickly spread to other parts of the house, charges state.

Firefighters responded and put out the blaze, which caused between $1,000 and $5,000 in damage, according to charges.

The woman was sitting outside the house when firefighters arrived and "it appeared that she had been drinking," charges state. The woman admitted to police she started the fire. Court documents do not indicate why the couple were arguing.

In addition to arson, the woman is charged with third-degree felony criminal mischief; intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor.

She is being held in the Salt Lake County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Melinda Rogers