A 56-year-old man was arrested by the Judiciary Police on Wednesday for setting fire to his own house in the city of Caldas da Rainha.
In a statement sent to newsrooms on Thursday, the Judiciary Police explained that the arrest followed a warrant issued by the Department of Investigation and Penal Action of Leiria, with the crime dating back to August 24.
“The suspect placed some belongings and contents of the house on the street and then set fire to the house where he lived, in the urban center of the city, thereby endangering neighboring residences and their inhabitants, if not for the quick intervention of firefighting means,” the authority explained, adding that the “house was completely destroyed.”
According to the Judiciary Police, the events occurred “in the context of a diagnosed mental illness,” and before setting the fire, the man “self-harmed with cuts on the chest and neck,” requiring hospital assistance.
The detainee appeared on Thursday for an initial judicial interrogation and is subject to identity and residence terms.
