Man Arrested After Setting House on Fire, Killing His Cat and Dog

A 40-year-old man, identified as Jahan Kia, has been arrested by police after allegedly setting fire to his own home with his two cats and dog still inside.

The incident occurred at around 7:50 p.m. at 21 Eileen Avenue in Plainview. According to authorities, Kia started the fire in the basement stairwell. At the time, no people were in that part of the house, but a cat and a dog were found dead when emergency services arrived.

It was reported that up to 10 people lived in the residence. Fortunately, they were not in immediate danger during the blaze.

When firefighters arrived, they entered the burning house to put out the flames. Unfortunately, two firefighters sustained injuries due to the intensity of the fire. They were rushed to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and burns to their hands.

No other injuries were reported in the incident.

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the act.

One of he eyewitness sad: “He’s mentally disturbed. I don’t know why they rented the apartment to him in the first place.

“And he lit the basement on fire, and it engulfed the whole house.”

She added: “He was walking around, he was hanging out in the neighbor’s house on their couch.

“And everything that we all own, on the first floor on the second floor is completely gone. Everything I have. My dogs were killed. He killed his own cat. He’s an animal.”

An eyewitness also asked the landlord why he chose to rent the house to Kai. In response, the landlord’s father, Scott Nordin, explained: “I swear to God I do not know anything about this guy,”

“He was a normal person. He did normal things. And then this.”