A 62-year-old Brooksville man is accused of trying to kill his neighbor by setting her home on fire.

Axel Kotowski is facing attempted murder and arson charges. Kotowski said he was just "trying to scare" his neighbor, Laurie Davis, into cleaning up her Edmonds Street mobile home.

The fire was started around 3 a.m. Monday. Davis was fast asleep. She said she woke up to the smell of smoke.

She grabbed a few things, got out of her house and called 911. Then she went to check out the fire. That's when she said she ran into Kotowski at the back of her house.

"He said I told you I was going to do this,” she said.

Kotowski told deputies he’s notified the subdivision’s homeowners association on numerous occasions in reference to the condition of the victim’s residence and property.

Kotowski explained he is currently attempting to sell his property and feels his neighbor's property is devaluing his home. He told deputies he has attempted to help the victim, including financially, but that she refuses to clean her property.

Davis admits she's a little messy but she's working on it.

"You live a longtime and you collect things you think you will need and you don't,” she said.

Davis said she didn't lose anything to the flames but she can't live in her house right now. She has a message for her neighbor.

"I hope you are getting the help you need,” she said.

Kotowski is being held at the Hernando County Detention Center on $60,000 bond.