A man burnt down his mother's house in Kampung Alor Madi, Alor Setar last night, all over RM200.

The 28-year-old civil servant committed the drastic act after his mother refused to give him the money.

Mohd Noor Mahmud, 33, said his brother showed peculiar behaviour since a month ago and threatened to burn down his mother's house.

He said earlier, his brother had locked himself in the house and fearing for his mother's safety, Mohd Noor took her to his house in Kepala Batas.

"We returned hours later and tried to persuade him to come out but failed," he told reporters at the scene today.

Mohd Noor said that he and police managed to break down the door and upon entering saw his brother wielding a parang.

"I smelled gas and on the advice of the police, I did not try to enter the house. Then my brother ran to the top level and climbed to the roof.

"He shouted at me to enter but I refused. Suddenly he lit a fire, jumped from the roof and has gone missing until now."

Mohd Noor said his brother burned all his clothes including his uniform, two days before his engagement last month.

"So we cancelled the engagement ceremony. This might have led to his action last night," he added.

Meanwhile, Alor Setar fire station chief Rosdi Ismail said 12 firemen on two engines rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 12:18am.

"The fire was brought under control in 18 minutes. Losses incurred are still under investigation," he said.

- Bernama