"Blast, fire tied to a suicide attempt; Suspect, 10 residents hurt in Roxbury blaze" October 18, 2011|By Peter Schworm and Meghan Irons, Globe Staff
A Medford man accused of setting off an overnight explosion that tore through a Roxbury apartment complex and ignited one of the most destructive fires in recent city history was trying to kill himself, authorities said yesterday.
As firefighters battled the six-alarm blaze that injured 10 residents and displaced more than 50, Mohamed Abdul Jabar appeared at Boston Medical Center seeking treatment of third-degree burns, police said. He allegedly told caregivers he “blew up’’ a house.
I'm surprised it isn't being called terrorism.
The 28-year-old, who remained in intensive care yesterday, will be charged with arson and attempted murder in the apparent gas explosion, police said. He is expected to recover from burns to his arms, hands, and face.
Investigators are exploring the possibility that Jabar accessed a gas line inside a first-floor apartment where he was staying with relatives and lit a match. Authorities said the blaze, which took 11 hours to subdue, was consistent with a natural gas fire....
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