Arrest Follow Fire In Worcester Triple-Decker

WORCESTER, MA — A Moen Street man was arrested and charged early Monday morning after police say he assaulted an officer and set his home on fire.

The incident began just after midnight when police responded to 6 Moen St. after a woman called police about a man in her home breaking things. When police met the man on the street, he pulled out scissors and swung them at an officer, grazing the officer's face.

The man then ran back inside the triple-decker, police said, and lit a fire. The 25-year-old refused to leave his apartment as the fire burned around him. He was later taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation, and was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, attempted murder and arson.

The man's mother said he was experiencing a mental health crisis and suffers from schizophrenia, according to NBC 10.

The Red Cross responded to the home to provide help for about nine resident who were displaced after the fire.