Woman attempts to set fire to Atlanta birth home of Martin Luther King Jr., police say

Authorities said a 26-year-old woman has been arrested on allegations she attempted to set fire Thursday night to the Atlanta birth home of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

According to a statement from Atlanta police, at about 5:45 p.m., the suspect poured gasoline on the property, located at 501 Auburn Ave., but was stopped by multiple witnesses from proceeding any further.

Responding officers detained the woman at the scene, police said. She is being held on suspicion of criminal attempted arson and second-degree interference with government property.