A Salina man was arrested early Tuesday morning after allegedly threatening an acquaintance with a knife, and then setting a house on fire.

Police Captain Mike Sweeney says that an officer on routine patrol in the 600 block of North 12th Street at 12:13 in the morning could see and smell smoke. He discovered a fire, visible through a window, burning inside a vacant home at 620 North 12th Street. Magazines and trash were on fire.

The officer observed a man on the back porch of the home, who fled. He did not pursue the man, and instead made sure no one was inside the home and helped put the fire out.

Later, while the officer was still on the scene, he was approached by a neighbor. The neighbor told the officer he believed that he knew who set the fire. The neighbor said that he had been in a disturbance with 45-year-old Christopher Freeman earlier. During the disturbance Freeman allegedly brandished a knife and threatened the man. Freeman then later allegedly set the fire.

Police located Freeman at a nearby motel, and following an investigation arrested him. He could face charges that include arson, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and criminal damage to property.