Woman sexually assaulted before house set on fire

Officials: Victim treated for flash burns

HOUSTON – The search is on for a man who investigators said sexually assaulted a woman inside her home and then set the house on fire.

It happened in the 8000 block of Indian Desert Drive in Northwest Harris County Tuesday shortly before 2 p.m.

"She was inside when someone rang the doorbell. She opened the door and a Hispanic male asked to use the phone," said Lt. Gustavo Lopez with the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. "She let him in and at that point was sexually assaulted."

After the attack, the woman reportedly told investigators the suspect made her take a shower, during which he started a fire and left. She ran for help and a neighbor called 911. 

Paramedics took the woman, a married mother of three, to the hospital where she was treated for flash burns to her upper body and arms. 

Lopez told KPRC Local 2 that investigators couldn't ask the woman a lot of questions about what happened because doctors put a tube down her throat and she couldn't speak. 

Police said they are looking for a suspect and do not have a good description of him.

Arson investigators said they are working to determine what was used to start the fire. They said it ignited in the master bedroom and the home is unlivable. 

Photos: House Fire