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He returned with a can of gas Rueda said he poured out over the bed and “all over the room.” In his other hand, Kormendy held what Rueda believed was a lighter. “I see a spark. I see a flicker,” she said, describing how she recognized the sound the lighter made.

Rueda was unclear on how she got Kormendy out of the room. At the preliminary hearing in the case, a transcript of which was read out in part in court Monday, Rueda testified she “pushed” Kormendy out of the room. On Monday, she testified she “led” him out, saying she doesn’t recall touching him.

Rueda said Kormendy was in the hallway trying to push the bedroom door open. Rueda was inside, using her entire body to keep it closed.

Rueda said Kormendy poured gasoline on the outside of the door. “I heard the gasoline falling on the floor.”

Then came the flames.

“I heard a big swoosh sound.” Flames came up from under the door, catching Rueda’s jogging pants on fire, she said.

She testified she backed away from the door toward the window where she took off her pants before trying to rouse her sleeping daughter.

“I jumped out the window assuming she was behind me,” Rueda testified. When she realized her daughter wasn’t coming, she called out her name. “There were flames coming out of the window and I burned my hands.”

The little girl stuck her head out and Rueda pulled her outside. Rueda then went to neighbouring homes, calling for help.

Believing one-year-old Felicia was still inside, Rueda flagged down a cab carrying two passengers. All three men — the cabbie and his two fares — ran into the burning building.