The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office says Austin Everett poured an ignitable liquid over a sweatshirt to start a fire in front of his father-in-law's home in west Harris County.
Everett's wife was reportedly inside the home at the time.
He then went to his mother-in-law's home in Houston and started a fire outside of her home.
He was arrested at the second home and charged with arson.
Investigators say his punishment could be enhanced for using the fire as a deadly weapon with the intent to cause serious bodily injury or death to his wife and family.