Kendari youth burns parents' house after money refusal

A 26-year-old man identified as MM was arrested after allegedly damaging and setting fire to his parents’ house in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra). The suspect claimed he was angry after being refused money.

“The suspect came demanding money but was refused, became angry, and proceeded to damage and set fire to the property,” said Aiptu Amrullah, head of Unit II for Patrol and Condition Creation (Cipkon) at Kendari City Police, in a statement reported by detikSulsel on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

The incident occurred at a house on Alolama Street, Mandonga Village, Mandonga District, Kendari, in the early hours of Saturday, 23 May. The suspect set fire to the house after lighting a match.

“The suspect broke the house windows before setting fire to the table and walls,” Amrullah said.

Fortunately, the fire did not spread. Local residents quickly worked to extinguish the flames, preventing further damage. “Residents helped put out the fire, stopping it from spreading to other parts of the house,” he added.