LAPLACE — A local man tried to set fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home Friday in LaPlace while six people were inside, including a 1-year-old baby, police said.

Demond Jerome Sampson, 41, of LaPlace, is charged with aggravated arson and misdemeanor violation of protective orders.

According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, a male subject identified as Sampson, the complainant’s ex-boyfriend, walked into the backyard of a home in the 3100 block of English Colony Drive with a gasoline can and poured gas on the east corner of the home, igniting a fire at approximately 11 a.m. Friday.

Responding patrol deputies and firefighters observed a light haze emitting from the southeast corner of a residence, which firefighters extinguished quickly.

No injuries were reported, but police said an 18-year-old male, 15-year-old male, 13-year-old male, 12-year-old female, 10-year-old female and 1-year-old male were inside the residence when it caught fire.

Police said Sampson was not related to any of the people inside the house.

State Fire Marshal investigators also worked the scene.

Deputies said they made contact with Sampson at an Essex Drive home shortly after the incident and arrested him.

He is being held in custody in lieu of a $48,750 bond.