Wow, this is just terrible. He was obviously drunk, I am glad the kids were not present when this happened. In addition to this terrible story, read what one of the neighbors said (in bold):
I have always thought some of the things people do when they are drunk are interesting. Dousing your wife with gasoline is a little extreme and the neighbors thinking it is ok to beat each other is also interesting. I hope she is ok and that she is able to recover. I hope the guy gets a few years for attempted murder.
Drunk PEOPLE act out what ever comes into their little fuzzy minds at the time. This has lead to some interesting things. Like the girl who thought her dress was too tight so she took it off and hung it out her window, car window that is. OR the guy who thought he was flag so he climbed a flag ploe.
I think this guy thought he wanted a hot wife so he started her on fire. I do not know. I will take your word for it that men have little respect for women down there.