SHAH ALAM, July 13 — Police have arrested a man suspected of setting his mother’s house on fire in Kampung Sungai Baru, Jitra, Kedah, yesterday, allegedly following a dispute with family members.
Kubang Pasu police chief Supt Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahim said the incident, which occurred at about 3.15 pm, was discovered by the suspect’s cousin, who was conducting business in front of the house.
He said the witness saw the suspect enter the house before leaving about 30 minutes later. Shortly afterwards, smoke was seen coming from the living room while the suspect had already left the area.
“The house belongs to the suspect’s 60-year-old mother, who is currently living in Pokok Sena.
“The complainant saw smoke billowing from the window before the fire spread rapidly from the living room,” he said when contacted today.
Mohd Radzi said the complainant immediately contacted the Fire and Rescue Department for assistance in extinguishing the blaze.
According to him, firefighters found that about 80 per cent of the house had been destroyed.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly set fire to the house following an argument with family members.
“Suspects are being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire or explosive substance with the intent to destroy or damage a house, building or storage place,” he said.
Mohd Radzi said checks showed that the suspect had five previous criminal records, including four cases in Jitra involving criminal intimidation, causing injury and drug-related offences, as well as another case in Padang Besar, Perlis, under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
Yesterday, media reports said a double-storey house in Kampung Sungai Baru had been destroyed in a fire suspected to have been caused by an act of arson.
Jitra Fire and Rescue Station chief Senior Fire Superintendent Noor Azhar Tajuddin said the department received an emergency call at 3.25 pm and confirmed that no casualties were reported.
He said about 80 per cent of the house had been destroyed before the case was handed over to police for further investigation.
