Kent Perusse of Florida Burns Down House to Keep Wife, Mother Out (VIDEO)
A man in Florida has burnt down his house to prevent his wife and his mother from moving in with him.
Local authorities responding to a 911 call arrived to a house totally engulfed in flames on Dec. 14. While the house was burning, Kent Perusse reportedly was covered in soot watching the flames from across the street in a neighbor’s yard, according to CBS.
When emergency responders got to the scene they found Perusse, 48, covered in ash. Tampa Police reported that when officers approached him he stated to them that “I did it,” as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
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He continued explaining to the police that he had used gasoline to start the fire because he did not want his wife, mother or even his daughter to move in with him.
When police began to talk with people who saw the fire they described to police that only moments earlier they had seen Perusse casually walk from his steps merely wearing socks and shorts, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
CBS reported the witnesses also told police that when he exited the house he had soot on his face and clothes and burns on his legs.
Perusse had also commented to police that he left his pet dog, a female pit bull, inside the inferno. It did not survive.
Perusse received treatment for his injuries at Tampa General Hospital. He remained in the hospital for two weeks while he was being treated for smoke inhalation and third-degree burns to his calves.
Once he was released he was brought to Hillsborough County Jail earlier this week and charged with first-degree arson and animal cruelty.
According to jail records the self-employed lawn service owner was being held on $55,000 bail. The house, which was Perusse was renting, was a total loss with an estimated $70,000 in damages.
The Christian Post Daily Report 12.30.11
