In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Pokok Sena, a drug addict set fire to a two-storey ancestral home occupied by his family members. The shocking incident occurred last night when a seemingly trivial disagreement over a cigarette escalated to a destructive inferno.

Around 9 PM, the 47-year-old suspect reportedly flew into a fit of rage after his younger brother declined to provide him with a cigarette. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, leading the drug addict to commit an act of arson that left the family's cherished residence in ruins.

For illustrative purposes only

Assistant Commissioner Mohd Asri Shafie, the Chief of North Seberang Perai District Police, revealed that the younger brother of the suspect sought refuge at the Kepala Batas Police Station to report the incident, unable to endure his brother's aggressive behavior.

Tragically, as the younger brother made his way to the police station, he received a call that would compound the already dire situation. It was then that he learned that their family home was engulfed in flames.

A concerned neighbor, living in close proximity to the scene, contacted the suspect's younger brother to deliver the shocking news. The neighbor informed him that the suspect had intentionally set the house on fire. However, the silver lining in this dire situation was that the suspect had been apprehended before causing further harm.

The house, which sheltered the suspect, his mother, and his younger brother, bore witness to the destructive act. Notably, the mother was absent from the scene, visiting her daughter in Balik Pulau during the incident.

The two-storey house, featuring five bedrooms and two bathrooms, had its upper portion constructed from wood and the lower portion made of cement. The raging fire devoured the entire structure, reducing it to ashes and causing irreparable damage. The property losses included four old motorcycles that had long been out of use.

Remarkably, the neighboring house also suffered collateral damage in the form of a fire. Fortunately, the blaze was limited to a section of the kitchen wall, sparing the residence from the fate that befell the suspect's home.

According to Mohd Asri, the suspect's initial confession revealed that he had ignited the curtains within his own bedroom using a lighter. This seemingly minor act quickly escalated into a full-blown conflagration that engulfed the entire house.

Adding another layer of concern, the results of a urine test administered to the suspect returned positive for drugs, underlining the extent of his drug addiction. With a history of 14 past records, the suspect was promptly taken into custody to assist authorities in their investigation under Section 436 of the Penal Code. 

What do you think of this regrettable incident? Comment below. 

Source: TV3