A homeless man was arrested after he allegedly set a fire that seriously hurt a 63-year-old man at a Grantville encampment, San Diego Police (SDPD) Officer John Buttle said.
The victim, a 63-year-old man, was at his camp near San Diego Mission Road and Fairmount Avenue when he got into an argument with another man, police said.
Other homeless San Diegans at the encampment reported hearing the victim yelling around 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Then, five or six minutes later, the witnesses heard what sounded like a fire, police said.
When they walked over to the victim's tent, they found the tent laying over the victim, on fire, with a pallet on top, police said.
Two witnesses called 911 and helped pull the victim out.
As the witnesses helped, they noticed a man hiding in the bushes, watching the fire burn, police said.
The man stayed in the area until first responders arrived, then wanted to leave, police said.
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The man, who has not been identified, was detained and later arrested for attempted murder.
The victim was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to surgery and is in serious condition.
Police detectives and MAST officials are investigating.
No other information was available.
