Oklahoma Man’s Hidden Camera Shows Wife Starting Fire

May 9, 2011

A man who set up a hidden camera to see who was setting fires on his land unexpectedly captured images of his wife starting a fire, prompting Pottawatomie County authorities to charge her with arson and her family to get her mental health treatment.

The Oklahoman reported Sunday that Sharlet Renea Flick, 47, of Meeker has been charged with third-degree arson and endangering human life for a fire set last month.

Officials say as many as 11 fires on the property could be traced back to Flick. She’s charged with setting fire to a shed and to a trailer.

Court records show that Flick’s husband hid a camera in a barbecue grill in his back yard. The images captured April 7 showed Flick walk to a well house on the property. As she walked back to the house, the well house went up in flames.

Authorities said most of the fires occurred when the county was under a burn ban, which enhanced the danger for firefighters and the community.

“Anytime we roll on a call firefighters are exposed to dangerous risks,” Shawnee Fire Chief Jimmy Gibson said.

Officials say 19 Shawnee firefighters responded to the fires, along with numerous sheriff’s deputies. Firefighters say damages from the fires are in the thousands of dollars.

Court records show that after family members confronted Flick about the fires, they took her for mental health treatment.