Police: Medford Man Started Roxbury Fire in Suicide Attempt

A Roxbury building was engulfed with flames early Monday morning after a Medford man attempted to kill himself inside, police said.

Mohamed Abdul Jabar, 28 of Medford, set the fire in a failed suicide attempt at 71 Westminster Ave. in Roxbury, according to a Boston Police press release.

Abdul Jabar took himself to Boston Medical Center for treatment and was then transferred to the burn unit at Massachusetts General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said. He is being treated in intensive care with second degree burns to his arms, hands and face.

The fire was called in about 12:45 a.m. Monday, and when responders arrived they found the building engulfed with fire, police said. Abdul Jabar did not live there, but police believe a relative of his may have, according to the press release.

The fire affected approximately 20 apartments but no one else was seriously hurt, the press release said.

While on scene, police were notified that Abdul Jabar had admitted himself to Boston Medical Center, the press release said. 

Once released Abdul Jabar will be charged with arson of a dwelling, assault with intent to murder, discharge or ignition of destructive device or substance, destruction of property and two counts of causing injury to a firefighter, police said.