‘She watched me burn’: Woman recovering after roommate allegedly set her on fire in Hollywood

A South Florida woman is grateful she’s alive after she says her roommate set her on fire last month.

While her roommate is now charged with attempted murder, Rachel Price says she’s still in pain and still trying to heal.

“She watched me burn,” Price said. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, and I don’t even have enemies, well, apparently I’m her enemy at this point.”

Price said she and her roommate, Kymesha Tarpley, had a disagreement inside their Hollywood apartment last month. Tarpley left, but she came back with a gas can filled with gasoline, Price said.

“She tossed it, and when she tossed it, she tossed the lighter, and I didn’t have a chance to react or anything,” Price said.

All she could do was scream, Price said. According to an arrest report, Price told an officer, “she tossed gasoline on me.”

She said she then threw a jacket over her body, but it was too late. Her face, arm, leg and hair were all burned. She was in the hospital for nearly a month.

“I never would have imagined that she would do something so vile and demonic,” Price said. “I could have been blind if I didn’t close my eyes or put my head down.”

The arrest report stated that Tarpley told police a different story.

Price is now focused on healing and trying to secure a new place to live.

“I’m grateful every day, I thank the Lord every day for being alive,” Price said.

As for what she wants, it involves her now ex-roommate.

“I just hope she finds the help that she needs,” Price said.

Price said she went to the Hollywood Police Department on Tuesday to finish pressing charges. Tarpley is charged with attempted murder in the second degree, in addition to aggravated battery and arson. She’s in the Paul Rein Detention Facility without a bond.

There is a GoFundMe for Price.