A self-described “Fire Goddess” and “Cosmic Nymph” is facing murder charges in California after allegedly setting her friend’s Honda Element ablaze following an argument over Xanax — with two people asleep inside the vehicle next to a propane tank.
Nicole Najlis, 30, bills herself as a “Fire Goddess” and maintains a Facebook page under the name Nicole Najlis Cosmic Nymph, where she documents fire dance performances at various festivals. Her most recent show was listed as “Freakshow in the Abduction Zone.”
According to a NY Post report, authorities arrested Najlis on suspicion of attempted murder and arson after a fire broke out at the Pilot truck stop in Hesperia just after midnight Tuesday. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department arrived to find two vehicles engulfed in flames. A witness on the scene directed deputies to Najlis, who was taken into custody nearby.
Honda owner James Bahr says the incident began with a dispute over Xanax. He told the Post he knew Najlis through a mutual friend and had been trying to support her through a difficult period following an abusive relationship. The group had been traveling through California together, with two friends asleep in the back of the car.
“She kept harassing me for my Xanax”
Bahr says Najlis became intoxicated and began demanding his prescription medication: “She kept harassing me for my Xanax, and I wouldn’t give it to her.” The disagreement then turned physical: “She got so upset that she had punched me in the head while I was driving,” causing him to momentarily lose control of the wheel and forcing him to pull into a nearby gas station.
He kicked her out of the car and started removing her belongings from the vehicle. That’s when he noticed something was wrong: “I smell gas and as soon as I said, ‘what is that smell?’ she threw a match and lit the car on fire.”
The Honda was quickly consumed by flames, but fortunately the two sleeping passengers managed to escape unharmed. The situation could have been far worse — the car was carrying propane tanks and fire performance equipment, and the tanks exploded just 30 seconds after the fire ignited.
No injuries were reported, but Bahr lost the car along with all his possessions and personal belongings. “I got the car two weeks ago, so it was sentimental and we had just dropped like $2k on transporting it. This is just insane to me, I’m still shocked.” Bahr lacks comprehensive insurance and puts the total damage at roughly $12,000.
When asked what he thought of Najlis, Bahr didn’t mince words: “A danger to society.” She is currently being held on $1 million bail, with a court appearance scheduled for later today. The Post notes she carries a lengthy rap sheet that includes prior allegations of assault, disorderly conduct, and traffic offenses.
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