A Tacoma woman who allegedly set a fire in her home while her four children were inside because she believed her husband was having an affair has been charged with first-degree arson.

Pierce County prosecutors say Jenny Avila Mena, 32, faces up to a two years and three months in prison if convicted as charged.

"Arson is always dangerous, but especially so with children in the house," said Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist.

According to charging documents, Mena had argued with her husband Sunday because she believed he had been having an affair with another woman.

After her husband left the home in the 3800 block of East J Street, Mena gathered items into a pile and set them on fire in the couple's bedroom, charging documents allege.

The items included photographs, a gift box and several underwear and lingerie items, according to the probable-cause document that outlines the police case against Mena.

"It was a symbolic bonfire of items chosen because of their connection to the suspected affair," said Lindquist. "I think they speak for themselves."

The woman's four daughters, who are between the ages of 7 and 13, were home at the time, according to the affidavit. The oldest opened the window, ushered her siblings into a closet and called their uncle in Arizona, charging documents say.

Police said the uncle called 911.

Responding police saw children peering out of an open upstairs window and reported there was smoke and haze throughout the house, prosecutors say.

Lindquist said Mena had put out the fire by the time police and firefighters arrived.

Mena told police she had burned some items in anger but denied the children had been home at the time, according to charging documents.

Mena, who has no previous criminal record, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Her husband has custody of the four children, three of whom are his, according to a relative of Mena's, who asked not to be named.

Lindquist said Mena faces a standard sentence range of 21 to 27 months, but prosecutors could ask for a longer or shorter sentence depending on whether "she was acting maliciously or just stupidly."

Lindquist said the fire department reported the house could have easily caught on fire.

"This is one of those things that could have been a horrible tragedy," he said.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com.

Seattle Times news researcher Miyoko Wolf contributed to this report.