Buffalo mom charged with trying to set her house on fire, children inside

By Kyla Igoe

July 9, 2010 Updated Aug 29, 2008 at 6:23 PM EST

19-year-old Mercedes Gamble now charged with attempted arson, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief after she allegedly tried to set her house on fire with her two children inside.

Police say the incident happened around 1 p.m. yesterday at 211 Loepere Street in Buffalo. Officials say Gamble had been fighting with her mother earlier in the day, but later had poured lighter fluid in a stairwell. Police report Gamble's children, ages 5 and 1, were inside the residence during the attempted arson.

No word tonight on the condition of the children.

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