Officers responded to a DeFuniak Springs residence around 1:15 p.m. Saturday in reference to an attempted burglary. Officers found two men on the front porch and were advised by one of the men that the other had tried to break into his home while he was inside. Multiple tree limbs were broken and located around the front porch. The victim stated the limbs were used by the suspect to beat on the windows and attempt to gain entry to his home. Officers learned that the victim was familiar with the suspect, 34 year old Joseph Dwayne Schley, and did not want to press charges. Schley was in the process of being removed from the property when the victim approached Officers again and said that the suspect had attempted to set fire to his house. Officers observed a gas can next to the back of the house and signs that a fire had burnt the side of the house. DeFuniak Springs Firefighters responded to ensure there was not an active fire. Firefighters determined the fire only burned a small portion of the back wall, but was close to engulfing the rest of the house. Schley admitted to setting the fire to the home. Schley was arrested for Arson in the 1st Degree to an Occupied Dwelling. He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail where he awaits First Appearance. “Thankfully no one was hurt,” said Chief James Hurley. “This could have ended differently with injury or death had the fire kept burning.”