POLICE are investigating after a woman attempted to burn down the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta police said.

Laneisha Henderson, 26, was stopped by two tourists from Utah after they saw her pouring gasoline on the Atlanta property, said authorities.

“When they realized what was going on, they started to plead with Ms. Henderson to stop, but she was ignoring them,” according to the incident report.

“It also seemed as if she started to rush and pour the gasoline out faster on and around the historical house.”

Police arrived at the scene on Thursday around 5:45 pm after a report of vandalism in progress at the home.

The tourists asked Henderson if she was tending to the plants, but she did not answer.

They asked her a few more questions and then noticed that she was carrying a gasoline container, police said.

Multiple citizens at the scene stepped in, detaining Henderson before police arrived.

Henderson was charged with second-degree attempted arson and interfering with government property, stated the police report.

She was transported to Grady Detention in Atlanta for evaluation and will be moved to Fulton Country Jail once discharged from Grady Detention.

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Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry said had the witnesses not intervened, the house could have been burned to the ground, according to local ABC affiliate station WSB-TV.

“It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” DeBerry said.

They say they are working with several district attorneys’ offices, the ATF, and the FBI.

King’s home is federal property meaning that Henderson could face further federal charges.

The King Center released the following statement:

“Tonight, an unfortunate incident occurred at the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an individual attempted to set fire to this historic property,

“Fortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful, thanks to the brave intervention of good Samaritans and the quick response of law enforcement,

“We thank the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Department, the National Parks Service, and Mayor Andre Dickens for leading the efforts to ensure the safety of our cherished national landmark and its adjacent neighbors,

“Our prayers are with the individual who allegedly committed this criminal act.”

The Atlanta police department said that this will be an ongoing investigation.