San Diego
A 64-year-old man who was believed to have set four small fires inside his Point Loma home early Wednesday was treated for smoke inhalation at a hospital, a San Diego Fire Department spokesman said.
Ernest Arbayo was taken by paramedics to Sharp Cabrillo Hospital, where he was treated and released, said a hospital spokeswoman.
Firefighters answered a call at 6:40 a.m. in the 1800 block of Chatsworth Boulevard and spotted smoke coming from the house.
After extinguishing the fires, firefighters pulled Arbayo from a rear bedroom closet where he was huddled, Capt. Larry Cooke of the Fire Department said.
Firefighters had to kick down the front door, which was secured with a number of locks, Cooke said. Cooke said Arbayo told firefighters he had set the fires. Firefighters found fires set in the living room, a hallway closet and two bedrooms, including the one where Arbayo was found.
Damage to the home was estimated at $15,000, Cooke said.
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