An early morning house fire quickly turned into a memorable call for US emergency services after a man's penis was found to be behind the blaze. American man Christopher Peden is facing up to 12 years in jail after allegedly cutting off his penis and using it to set his mother's garage on fire.
Emergency Response and Discovery
Emergency services were called to the Indiana home on May 6 following reports of a blaze tearing through a garage shortly after 5am. Two occupants fled the house after neighbours knocked to warn them of the fire, with local media identifying the pair as a mother and her son. The mother's second child, Peden, was discovered to be missing from the home when the duo raced outside.
While firefighters dealt with the blaze, Fort Wayne police were called to a stabbing — with the victim discovered to be the missing man. Officers rushed 36-year-old Peden to the hospital for treatment, with the man initially telling detectives he had been stabbed in downtown Fort Wayne after being threatened by an unknown man.
Confession and Details
While receiving treatment for his wounds, however, the man confessed the grisly truth to law enforcement. According to local media, Peden told Fort Wayne detectives he had “harmed himself” in the garage by “cutting off his penis” with a kitchen knife. He then allegedly poured gasoline over his dismembered genitals before setting it on fire near the entrance, sparking the home blaze. He told police he then left the property, with the man walking the streets until law enforcement found him.
Evidence and Charges
Fire officials at the Northwood Boulevard property discovered several pieces of evidence at the scene, including a red gasoline container, four lighters, and the kitchen knife allegedly used by Peden. Court records have not detailed whether officials found Peden's severed genitals at the scene. The fire caused heavy damage to the domicile's garage, with court documents stating the blaze also caused damage to two additional homes and two cars.
The Allen County Prosecutor's Office has since charged the 36-year-old with one count of felony arson. He is due back in court next Monday for a hearing over the matter.
