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Sandra Yi and Randall Jeppesen ReportingA home in Sandy goes up in flames. Now the man who lived there is in big trouble.
Sgt. Paul Jaroscak: "We believe that he actually, intentionally, started the fire."
Prosecutors today filed criminal charges against the man. They believe an argument with his wife, may have prompted him to do it.
Investigators say the fire at that house was no accident. According to court documents, the man who lives there admitted to starting the fire with newspaper and cigarettes.
Prosecutors today charged Alejandro Martinez with aggravated arson and aggravated assault. Yesterday his home went up in flames. Investigators say the fire started in the upstairs bedroom. When firefighters arrived, they rescued Martinez, who had broken the front upstairs window. Investigators talked about a possible motive.
Sgt. Paul Jaroscak, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "We have been to the house before on attempted suicide investigations, and so this may have been an attempt to harm himself, commit suicide."
Authorities say before the fire started, Martinez got into an argument with his wife. The couple is separated. Police say Martinez called his wife and said he had no food, so she stopped by to bring him a sandwich. They got into an argument.
Investigators say, when she got in her car to leave, Martinez threw a rock the size of a soccer ball at her. The rock hit her in the head and she had to get stitches. She found a police officer, and told him what happened.
The aggravated assault charge stems from that incident. Police say Martinez has an extensive criminal history, which includes domestic violence and assault on a police officer.
Crews first believed Martinez had suffered severe burns, but most of his injuries are from smoke inhalation. He is in good condition at a hospital. There is a warrant for his arrest, when he checks out.
