Republican's aide accused of burning house with 2 people inside: report

The legislative assistant to North Carolina's Republican State Senator Norman Sanderson has been arrested and accused of “willfully” and “maliciously” burning a house with two people inside in Raleigh, according to local affiliate Fox8 Raleigh.

The assistant, Diane Cook, 38, has been arrested and booked on a first-degree arson charge into the Wake County Detention Center. Fox8 reported, "It is unclear how, if at all, Cook is connected to the people who live there."

Sanderson, a former sheriff's deputy, was also arrested this year. The state senator waspulled over on Oct. 18 when a breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol concentration of .16 — double the legal limit, Fox8 reports.

He received a DWI charge as well as two other misdemeanors for an open container of an alcoholic beverage and failing to obey a traffic order.

He issued a public statement, saying he made "a regrettable mistake" and took responsibility for his actions.

Cook is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.