Son allegedly burns down home after being denied cash
MARAN: Neighbours of a man, who allegedly burned his family house down on Friday, knew about his threats a day earlier, but they did not believe he would carry it out.
The man, 33, torched his home in Felda Jengka 11 here after an argument with his mother.
A neighbour named Nazmi said the man was angry after his mother, 66, refused to give him money.
He and other villagers heard the son threatening to burn the house down, but they only intervened by advising the man.
“I even called the imam for advice and cooled things down. We never expected him to do it,” he said of the suspect, who had drug addiction issues.
District police chief Deputy Superintendent Norzamri Abd Rahman said the suspect was arrested after the fire, and results of investigation concurred with what the villagers claimed.
“A police team rushed to the scene and apprehended the suspect near the house.
“The suspect is unemployed and has a criminal record. He has been detained under Section 436 of the Penal Code for causing mischief with fire.”
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Sani Harul said they received a call at 2.27pm and put out the fire within 30 minutes.
“A fire engine was despatched to the scene. The fire had engulfed 90 per cent of the house when firemen arrived. Losses are being investigated.”