FEASTERVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- A man who was angry that he got no presents for Christmas burned down his parent's house early the next morning, police said.
Steven Murray, 21, was charged with arson and risking a catastrophe in the blaze that destroyed his family's home, Lower Southampton police officer Peter Liese said.
``He was irritated that his family gave him no presents for Christmas,'' Liese said.
No one was injured in the fire, which started at 2:25 a.m. Sunday.
Police said Murray told a friend that he was angry on Christmas Day when he didn't get any presents. He voluntarily checked into Warminster General Hospital on Saturday under the state's voluntary commitment law, but later signed himself out and walked eight miles home, police said.
He told police he saw the flames in the distance, but officers said his jacket smelled of smoke and they found a lighter in his pocket and a gas can under trash bags and bins about 10 feet from the front door.
Police said Murray admitted his involvement to officers and threatened and spat at them while in custody and also spat at Bristol District Justice Frank Peranteau during his arraignment Sunday evening.
``So what if I burned my house down?'' Murray asked during the proceedings. ``It's my house.''
Peranteau set bail at $1 million and had Murray transferred to the Bucks County prison in Doylestown. It could not immediately be determined whether he had an attorney.
