SCOTTSDALE, Ariz — Fierce flames were caught on camera as Scottsdale police officers risked their lives going door-to-door to try and get people out after a man allegedly set his apartment on fire.
Police said one of the tenants started that fire, with witnesses claiming he yelled “you all should die” as he ran away.
“Scary, the chaos was extreme,” Barbara Fournier, a neighbor, said as she watched the flames and police go door-to-door.
“The environment was just chaos. Like everybody was going, 'Why is this happening and how can this be happening right here?'” Fournier said.
Police said Jorge Hernandez tossed a suspicious bottle into his unit, sparking the fire.
Witnesses told officers that they heard Hernandez yelling threats and when he returned, he told them that God told him to burn them all.
Hernandez has now been charged with 36 felonies, including arson and endangerment charges.
Fournier said that, although it was frightening, she was impressed by the actions of police, who responded quickly to save lives.
“A female officer ran inside the building when it was fully engulfed, and ran out with a bird cage," Fournier said. “Pretty neat to see.. and pretty brave.”
