Woman charged after lighter ignites gasoline, antique tractor in Marion

A North Liberty woman was arrested early Monday morning after a fire that destroyed a tractor at a Marion residence.

Erika M. Visger, 31, of 2320 Rice Ridge Ln. NE, was charged with reckless use of fire after the incident at 580 Ninth St. in Marion. She is accused of ignoring a warning and using her lighter near a pool of gasoline, police said.

Officers were called to the residence around 12:15 a.m. Monday. They learned Visger and a couple friends arrived at the residence after being at a bar. One of the friends who lives at that address, Riley Seaman, was restoring a John Deere Model B tractor near the house, but apparently it was leaking gasoline, police said.

Police said Seaman warned Visger not to use her lighter when she got it out, and told her she was near a puddle of gasoline. Visger used the lighter anyway, and a spark ignited the gasoline and the tractor.

Firefighters arrived and put out the fire before it could spread to the house, which was only a few feet away. The tractor, with an estimated value of $1,000, was destroyed, but no other damage was reported, police said.

Marion police Lt. Scott Elam said intoxication was suspected as a factor in the incident.

Visger was taken to the Linn County Jail, where she was being held on $1,000 bond.