A 52-year-old Dalton Gardens man was arrested Sunday for allegedly dousing his wife with gasoline and trying to set her on fire in their home, authorities said Monday.

Daniel J. Zehm began arguing with his wife of two years Saturday evening during dinner over comments he made physically describing a women who works at an assisted living community where his mother lives, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff's Department report.

As the conflict continued into Sunday morning, Zehm's wife, Sondra G. Zehm, told deputies that Zehm burst into their house after being in his shop behind their home and dumped gasoline on her, saturating her and her clothing.

"Sondra began to plead with Daniel and said, 'OK, OK, oh my God,'" the incident report said.

Zehm then grabbed his wife and began pushing her around the kitchen of their residence, at 6103 N. 15th St., the report said.

"Daniel then began 'flicking the BiC' lighter in an attempt to light Sondra on fire," the report said.

Sondra Zehm then ran to a bedroom and locked the door, and began shouting that the gasoline was burning her eyes and that she needed to go to the hospital.

Daniel Zehm offered to take her to the hospital, but she declined his offer and ran to her vehicle to get away. But he lifted the hood and started disconnecting the battery. Sondra Zehm then got out and began walking away from their residence.

"Daniel told Sondra not to call law enforcement because he could 'go to prison for this,'" the report said.

Hours earlier, according to the report, Sondra Zehm told investigators that her husband had jumped on top of her while she was in bed and told her, "'I'm going to kill her (their dog), I'm going to kill you next, and your whole family.'"

Daniel Zehm was booked into Kootenai County jail and prosecutors have charged him with battery with intent to commit a serious felony. He's also charged with burglary, for entering his own home with the intent of committing a felony.

Zehm, who is unemployed and has no prior criminal record, made his first appearance in front of a judge Monday afternoon in a Kootenai County courtroom. His bond was set at $200,000 by Magistrate Penny Friedlander.

She issued no-contact orders to keep Zehm away from his wife and the woman who works at the assisted living community, Wellspring Meadows, where Zehm's mother lives.

Zehm, speaking to Friedlander during his court appearance, said, "Can I say I didn't flick the lighter at her?"

Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor Donna Gardner told Friedlander Zehm did go after his wife with a lighter and attempt to light her on fire. Gardner said while Zehm has no prior criminal history, he has a history of losing his temper.

Gardner requested bond be set at $250,000.

Kootenai County records show the couple's marriage license was granted in October 2009.

Daniel Zehm told investigators he was arguing with his wife after he said the woman from the retirement home was "dating a loser," while his wife told investigators Daniel Zehm had said the woman was really attractive.

Zehm told deputies he, "'Spilt a little bit of gas on her'" because his wife would not leave him alone after she got upset about the other woman.

"Daniel said he went out to the shop and got the gas to 'shut her up,'" the report said.