Homeless woman who claimed she was set on fire now accused of sparking blaze outside Alief church

Chandel Kenawell was charged with arson after allegedly setting herself on fire with lighter fluid on March 5, 2019. In surveillance video from nearby Christ Kingdom Church International House of Prayer, the woman can be seen carrying a white bottle with a red cap, similar to a popular brand of lighter fluid, before the fire started. less Chandel Kenawell was charged with arson after allegedly setting herself on fire with lighter fluid on March 5, 2019. In surveillance video from nearby Christ Kingdom Church International House of Prayer, the ... more Photo: Christ Kingdom Church International House Of Prayer Photo: Christ Kingdom Church International House Of Prayer Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Homeless woman who claimed she was set on fire now accused of sparking blaze outside Alief church 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Police say a homeless woman who said someone set her on fire last week actually sparked the blaze outside a west Houston church.

Chandel Kenawell, 40, was burned late Tuesday night while sitting on a strip center walkway in the 4200 block of South Kirkwood, just south of the Westpark Tollway. As paramedics rushed her to an area hospital, she told investigators that a man walked up to her, doused her with lighter fluid and set her on fire, according to court documents.

Arson detectives now believe that story was made-up.

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Instead, authorities say Kenawell lit herself on fire with the help of lighter fluid she bought from a convenience store in the same shopping center moments earlier, according to charging documents.

In surveillance video from nearby Christ Kingdom Church International House of Prayer, the woman can be seen carrying a white bottle with a red cap, similar to a popular brand of lighter fluid, before walking out of frame.

Bright orange light filled the parking lot moments later as she allegedly set herself on fire. Kenawell is facing a felony charge for arson but has yet to be arrested.

As of Wednesday, fire investigators said she remained in an area hospital being treated for burns. The extent of her injuries was not made available, although she is expected to live.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message