TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 58-year-old man on suspicion of arson after a fire at a residence in Adachi Ward left an elderly woman injured, reports TBS News (Sep. 5).
Kenichi Tsuchida, whose occupation is unknown, is accused of setting fire to the home of a woman in her 80s just before 5:00 a.m. on Friday. The blaze damaged the floors and walls of the property, and the elderly resident sustained minor burns to her face, according to investigative sources.
Upon his arrest for suspected arson of an inhabited structure, Tsuchida denied the allegations.
“I have absolutely no memory of this,” the suspect told investigators. “I was probably just taking a walk by myself.”
The incident follows a string of suspected arson attacks in the surrounding neighborhood. Since late last month, five other suspicious fires have been reported, with targets including vending machines and storage sheds.
Police are currently analyzing security camera footage and investigating Tsuchida’s potential involvement in the serial fires.
