Texas family escapes fire set by arsonist while they slept

 August 19, 2025

Security footage captured a hooded figure pouring gasoline on a family's porch and igniting it in the dead of night.

According to a New York Post report, the incident occurred last Tuesday in Midlothian, Texas, where Darryl Wilson, 52, and his wife Wahsheida lived in a two-story home with their adult children home for summer break. The family of six, which included a 1-year-old baby, escaped without injuries after the flames threatened to engulf their living room.

The arsonist targeted the front stoop around 1 a.m., setting the blaze while most of the household was asleep. Emergency crews arrived to extinguish the fire, ensuring all residents were safe.

Hooded Figure Sparks Terror

The couple's 21-year-old daughter, Malia Rivera, remained awake and noticed the motion-sensor lights activating outside. She hurried downstairs to investigate and discovered flames rapidly spreading toward the living room window.

Malia immediately dialed 911 and dashed to alert her sleeping parents. Her quick actions prevented a potential tragedy, as the fire could have spread further if undetected.

Darryl initially dismissed his daughter's warning, thinking it was a dream, and tried to go back to sleep. She persisted, grabbing him and insisting the house was truly on fire, prompting him to leap into action.

Parents Battle Initial Flames

Darryl grabbed two cups of water in an attempt to douse the growing blaze on the porch. When that proved insufficient, he switched to larger pots and pans to combat the fire while his wife assessed the situation.

Wahsheida reviewed the home's security recordings and uncovered disturbing video of a man in a sweatshirt spreading gasoline before lighting it and fleeing. This evidence confirmed the deliberate nature of the attack, leaving the family in disbelief.

Wahsheida expressed shock at the incident, noting that the family typically keeps to themselves and cannot fathom who would target them. She described the arsonist's actions as heartless, emphasizing that the intent appeared to be killing everyone inside.

Family Grapples with Aftermath

The 25-year-old daughter, Mylah Rivera, voiced deep concern for her 1-year-old child, highlighting how close the family came to disaster. She pointed out that without her sister's alertness, the outcome could have been far worse for the youngest member.

To cope with ongoing fear while the suspect remains at large, the family has implemented a rotation system for nighttime watches. They take turns staying awake, monitoring windows and cameras to ensure no further threats emerge.

Darryl shared feelings of helplessness as a father, unable to protect his loved ones from such a violation at their own home. The entire household, including his wife and children, feels traumatized and unwilling to remain in the residence.

Arsonist Still at Large

Darryl Wilson and Wahsheida, residents of Midlothian, Texas, faced the arson attack last Tuesday with their adult children and a 1-year-old grandchild present. The hooded individual poured gasoline on the porch and ignited it around 1 a.m., aiming to harm the sleeping family, though the motive remains unknown.

Authorities have the security footage showing the suspect in action, but no arrests have been made yet. The family hopes investigators will identify and apprehend the person responsible, whom they describe as a sociopath aware of children inside.

In the coming days, the Wilsons plan to relocate to escape the lingering trauma and regain security. This move reflects their need for peace, as they continue sleeping in shifts until the perpetrator is caught and jailed.

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