Restaurant owner 'stabs himself before torching eatery with dog inside'
A Sydney restaurant owner has been accused of stabbing himself and torching his own establishment with his German shepherd dog dying in the blaze.
Passersby bravely rescued the man from the first floor of the Essenza Italian restaurant in the inner city suburb of Surry Hills about 11am on July 4.
The restaurateur was subsequently treated in hospital for stab wounds to his back.
But now the 37-year-old stands accused of deliberately lighting the fire himself and making a false statement to NSW Police.
He was arrested on Friday morning and later charged with dishonestly destroying property by fire for gain.
Detectives allege he set the restaurant on fire, provided false information and recklessly killed his dog.
"The investigation was a complex and thorough matter," Detective Chief Inspector Adam Johnson told reporters in Sydney.
"We'll be alleging that there was one person responsible for this matter. (He) provided police with information – that made us conduct an investigation – that was not quite right.”
CCTV played an important role in the investigation.
A good Samaritan delivery driver, Ibrahim El Akkaoui, told reporters at the time of the blaze he'd heard screaming from the upper floor when he arrived at the restaurant.
He and two others braved the flames and headed upstairs before passing the injured man through a window to waiting firefighters.
The restaurateur is due to face Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
