Man sets girlfriend on fire, police say

New Haven (WTNH) - A man is behind bars after allegedly lighting his girlfriend and house on fire. His girlfriend is now struggling to survive at an area hospital.

It happened early Sunday morning on Market Street. The house is now boarded up. It is so damaged no one can return.

News Channel 8 has learned that the motive for the fire may have been retaliation because the mother planned to go to police about allegation of child abuse.

Howard Stewart, 50, faced a judge today. Police reports say he had asked if everyone was okay, saying he was sorry.

Early Sunday, police say he doused his girlfriend, Christina Lee, 35, and her 12-year-old daughter with accelerant, then tossed lit matches at them.

The girl was not hurt and got out, rescuing her three-month-old sister before she left the house.

Their mother was on fire and suffers second and third degree burns to her chest and legs.

News Channel 8 learned today just hours before the fire, the 12-year-old had told her mother Stewart was touching her private parts. Her mother planned to call police.

Friends say until now the couple seemed stable.

"He always treated her with the utmost respect. They seemed like a loving couple," Lawrence Gore said.

Howard Stewart wrote a book detailing true prison stories. He had served a year in prison and has a criminal record for domestic violence.

Stewart's bond is set at $2 million.

Lee remains in critical condition. The two girls are in the care of family.

To read the arrest warrant and statements, click here . (PDF file)