NEW YORK - Charges are expected today for the woman police say set her Harlem apartment building on fire.

It happened around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on the 14th floor of a 21-story New York City Housing Authority building located at 1315 Amsterdam Avenue.

Investigators say the woman barricaded herself inside her apartment as officers responded to a call of an emotionally disturbed person.

NY1 spoke to residents who say the woman had just been released from the hospital before she started the fire.

"She had a mental issue. They should have never let her out at that time. She hasn't ready to come out and this is the result of what happens when our system fails us. It's ridiculous. They know she's bi-polar, schizophrenic and she shouldn't be alone," said one tenant.

"All I know is that lady is a very nice person. She don't deserve it. She didn't deserve this. She has mental problems, but she did not deserve it," noted another tenant.

Seventeen people were injured, including city police officers, EMS workers and two residents - one of them being the suspected arsonist.

One person is in critical condition, but it's not clear if it's her.