A man was arrested in Scottsdale last week after police say he set fire to his own apartment. 

Scottsdale police responded to reports of a man seen throwing an object into the window of an apartment near 68th Street and Thomas Road about 4:30 p.m. on Friday, said department spokesperson Sgt. Brian Reynolds. The object was described in court documents as a bottle.

The man, later identified as 35-year-old Jorge Barrera Hernandez, then ran from the apartment while yelling, “You all should die,” according to a probable cause statement police submitted to the Maricopa County Superior Court.

The apartment was also later identified as Hernandez’s residence, court documents said. It “immediately burst into flames” and fire and smoke spread to nearby units, Reynolds said. 

Police were later told Hernandez claimed “God had instructed him to burn them all,” according to court documents. They were unclear if he was referring to the apartment units or people, court documents said. 

The police officers, who Reynolds said were the first to arrive on scene, helped evacuate neighboring apartments. Two officers were later taken to a hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation but were expected to make a full recovery, Reynolds said. 

The fire forced 17 people, including infants, to flee their homes for safety, according to court documents. 

Hernandez was ultimately arrested and faces possible charges of 17 counts of arson of an occupied structure and 17 counts of engagement. He was booked into a Maricopa County jail and held on a $150,000 bond. 

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @curtis_chels. 

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