Man critically injured after allegedly setting fire in Olathe duplex

An Olathe man suffered critical injuries Thursday morning after allegedly setting his duplex on fire.

Police had gone to the home in the 4400 block of South Parkway Drive to check on the man’s welfare.

His girlfriend had called police about 5:45 a.m. asking police to check to make sure he was OK, said Sgt. Bryan Hill, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department.

“He would not come to the door, and then officers saw smoke coming from his part of the duplex,” Hill said. “Firefighters were able to break windows and put water inside the residence.”

After the fire was out, firefighters and police noticed the man on the floor inside the duplex and went in and pulled him out. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, Hill said.

His injuries were believed to be related to smoke inhalation.

Because the other side of the duplex was occupied, police evacuated the residents from their home.

Firefighters told police that it appears the man set the fire inside the house, Hill said.

The man faces possible aggravated arson charges because the other side of the duplex was occupied at the time of the fire, Hill said.

Police have responded to the house before on mental health calls, Hill said.

This story was originally published June 12, 2014 at 9:03 AM with the headline "Man critically injured after allegedly setting fire in Olathe duplex."