Kottayam: An 85-year-old man allegedly set a car on fire at a doctor’s residence in Gandhi Nagar, Kottayam, on Monday morning, officials said.

The accused, identified as Chelappan, also suffered burn injuries during the incident and was later hospitalised.

According to officials from the Kottayam Fire Station, an alert was received at around 8.10 am regarding a vehicle on fire inside the premises of a doctor’s house. A fire tender was promptly rushed to the spot.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that the blaze had been deliberately started. Preliminary findings suggest that Chelappan, who was previously employed at the residence, had come to the house carrying petrol and set the car parked in the shed ablaze.

During the act, the elderly man sustained burn injuries. He was quickly shifted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital for treatment. His current condition is yet to be officially disclosed.

Fire personnel managed to bring the flames under control after nearly 45 minutes, preventing further damage to the property.

Meanwhile, the Gandhi Nagar police have initiated a probe into the incident to determine the motive behind the act. Officials said that a formal case will be registered once a complaint is received from the doctor.