BRIEF: Kona Man Sets Self, House on Fire

Big Island police say a South Kona man arrested Wednesday set himself on fire and tried to do the same to his ex-girlfriend the day before.

Police responding to a report of a man walking and carrying a knife on Tobacco Road in Honaunau  at 1:12 a.m. Tuesday were en route to the scene when they received a report of a house on fire in the same area.

The suspect, 27-year-old Robert York of Honaunau, had allegedly gone to the home of his ex-girlfriend, poured a flammable liquid on the front porch and set it on fire. When his 26-year-old ex-girlfriend climbed out of a window, York allegedly grabbed her and poured the liquid on both her and himself.

At that point the victim’s relatives, who live in another house on the property, arrived on the scene and pulled York away. As one of the relatives began fighting the flames with a garden hose, York set himself on fire, police said.

The ex-girlfriend and her relatives extinguished the flames and York fled the scene on foot. Shortly thereafter York called 911 and was taken by ambulance to Kona Community Hospital where he was treated for burns.

Police were waiting when York was discharged from the hospital at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday. He was arrested on suspicion of abuse, terroristic threatening and arson. He was being held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives continue their investigation.

York’s ex-girlfriend, who was not identified, did not require medical attention.