Windsor Police are investigating an arson after an early morning fire was reported on the city's east side this morning.  At 11:00 a.m. this morning, Windsor Police and Fire responded to a report of heavy smoke coming from the inside of a house at 1840 Balfour Rd. Police also received information that there was one male inside the house.  Firefighters entered the residence and attempted to locate the man by calling out his name. They initially received no response but eventually found the man hiding in the attic of the house.  The man had sustained some lacerations to his arms which at this time are believed to be self inflicted.  Firefighters escorted the man to safety and he was taken into custody by uniformed police officers.

At the time of this report, the investigation has revealed that the man arrested is currently charged with assault as a result of a domestic dispute with the female occupant ( his wife) of the Balfour residence.  The man is currently bound by a court order not to attend this residence or have any communication with the female occupant or his teenaged son and daughter who also reside at the address.  At 9:30 a.m. this morning the man attended the home and walked through the side door where he found his daughter sleeping.  The man bound his daughter's hands together with a lanyard and placed a strip of duct tape over her mouth. The man then made several threats to kill the girl.  After approximately 30 minutes, he cut the restraint off her hands, took the tape off her mouth and told her to leave.  The girl went to her school and advised a friend of what had transpired. 

Shortly after, it is believed that the man set fire to the residence using some type of accelerant, cut his wrists and hid in the attic.  A next door neighbour observed smoke coming from inside of the house and called 911.  The suspect was arrested by uniformed officers at the scene and was transported to hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing however as a result of the preliminary findings, a 46 year old Windsor man is expected to be charged with Threats To Cause Death, Forcible Confinement and Arson.

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