FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A man accused of barricading himself inside his home and then setting it on fire appeared before a Broward County judge on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours on Wednesday at a home located along the 5200 block of Wiley Street in Hollywood.
According to Hollywood police, officers arrived around 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a disturbance involving a man since identified as Kevin Lamar Bryant, 38.
Police said Bryant barricaded himself inside his home after they arrived, and then several hours later around 4 a.m., he intentionally set a fire while inside.
Fire rescue crews rushed to the scene and quickly worked to extinguish the flames, but authorities said the fire caused extensive damage to the inside of the home, which they said had been previously condemned.
Rescue officials said afterwards that Bryant was known to suffer from severe mental illness and was initially taken to the hospital to be checked out.
On Thursday, Bryant made his first court appearance, choosing to act as his own attorney.
“That was not a risk to any of my neighbors,” Bryant told the judge. “That was a controlled fire because the smoke was supposed to dry out the rodents and the rats, to smoke them out.”
The judge then reminded Bryant that anything he says can and will be used against him.
“This is not arson because I lived and resided at this home,” he responded.
Bryant appeared to become frustrated during the hearing, at one point throwing his hands up and shaking his head.
When asked by the judge if he has any formal training in law, Bryant replied, “Absolutely.”
“I don’t need to take Florida bar to understand my rights and know the law,” he said.
Ultimately, the judge ruled that Bryant would be held behind bars without bail.
Jail records show he is facing charges of first degree arson, disorderly conduct, obstructing a road way and littering over 500 pounds.
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