A 31-year-old man who had been arrested for the arson of a family home in Paphos was referred to the Paphos Criminal Court for trial, on Thursday.

The trial is set to start on April 7, assistant police chief Michalis Nikolaou said, for the crime that took place on February 11.

The 31-year-old had been intercepted at the Ledra Palace crossing a week ago while attempting to pass into the north, and was subsequently detained for eight days.

He had admitted to maliciously setting fire to the home’s veranda furniture but had given no reason, police said.

The fire which broke out at 3am, spread to the rest of the house, causing extensive damages and the six members of the three-generation family were harmed in their attempt to escape.

A couple aged 42 and 40, their two children, aged eight and 12, and the 42-year-old’s parents, aged 73 and 73 were in the home at the time. All were treated at Paphos general hospital.

The 73-year-old grandfather jumped from the balcony, sustaining serious injury.

The Paphos District Court had ordered for the 31-year-old remain in custody until the start of the hearing.