INDIANAPOLIS — A 58-year-old man was arrested after allegedly setting his car and house on fire before barricading himself inside Saturday afternoon on the west side of Indianapolis.
According to a release from the Indianapolis Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched around 5:50 p.m. Aug. 10 to a house fire in the 1100 block of North Mount Street, near West Washington Street and North Belmont Avenue.
Firefighters arrived around two minutes later and marked the fire as working. While fighting the fire, firefighters reportedly heard multiple rounds of ammunition going off inside a vehicle that was also on fire. Roughly 20 minutes after firefighters first arrived, the fire was marked under control.
IMPD officers are credited with pulling the 58-year-old man from his burning home. Occupants of the house told police and firefighters that the man intentionally set the fire and barricaded himself inside. A dresser was reportedly blocking the front door to the house.
After forcing their way into the house, police officers went to try to rescue the man who was inside. However, IFD said the man refused to leave despite the active fire in a nearby bedroom. Officers reportedly placed the uncooperative man in handcuffs and pulled him out of the residence. He was then arrested.
One firefighter sustained a minor injury and was transported to Methodist Hospital.
IMPD is investigating the domestic incident believed to have preceded the fire, while IFD is investigating the resulting arson.
