A 71-year-old man was sent to the hospital Tuesday morning after a house fire broke out in Orange County.
According to deputies, the victim’s mattress and pillow had been set on fire by his son, identified as Santiago Torres Jr.
Jose Flores of the Orange County Fire Rescue said, “It was a small fire in a bedroom. We did put the fire out within a minute and took the person to the hospital.”
Florida man accused of setting 71-year-old father on fire http://t.co/tuV5mGX4yp pic.twitter.com/yuZyX1RwrH
— WPXI (@WPXI) October 8, 2014
The unidentified son-in-law of Torres Sr. said that he noticed glowing coming from the the victim’s room. That is when he saw the pillow and mattress catch fire and found Torres Sr. in flames.
Diana Torres, the daughter of the victim, spoke on the frightening incident. “It was big. The flames were pretty high and the whole bed was burning. My father was in the bed. It was horrible. I was screaming.”
She continues to explain the actions taken when she saw her father engulfed in flames. “We seen him burning and we went crazy. I pulled him (Santiago Torres Jr.) out because he was hovering over my father. And, I pulled him out and threw him on the floor.”
According to WFTV, Diana Torres said their brother has had a drug problem for quite a while and that he was stealing her father’s pain medication. “I don’t think he even realized what was going on,” said Diana Torres. “My brother just needs help. He needs mental help.”
Torres Sr. is now in critical condition with upper body injuries. Torres Jr. was charged with attempted homicide and arson to an occupied dwelling. The crime is still under investigation by the state fire marshal.
