PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A man is facing several charges after he allegedly set fire to a Portsmouth home during a domestic dispute Sunday, police say.
Two officers were injured in the incident while trying to rescue Carlos Chavez Garcia, 32, who police say set fire to the house in the 4500 block of Caroline Avenue Sunday afternoon.
Garcia has been charged with arson, obstruction of justice, and three counts of animal cruelty.
Portsmouth police said officers were called to the house around 2:45 p.m. for reports of a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they first spoke with an adult woman at the scene.
Police said officers then smelled gas and smoke inside the home and discovered a man setting the house on fire.
As officers attempted to pull him from the flames, the man resisted and fought them, police said. Both officers were injured during the struggle and taken to a local hospital and have since been released.
