A Sylacauga man is under arrest after authorities say he threatened his girlfriend with a wrench and then set a bedroom on fire as police closed in on him.

Cortney Dequan Speer, 44, is charged with first-degree arson, third-degree domestic violence, resisting arrest and violation of condition of bond, police announced Wednesday.

The investigation began Saturday when a woman flagged down a Sylacauga police officer in the area of North Norton Avenue and Curren street, said Lt. Willis Whatley.

She told the officers her boyfriend – Speer – was threatening her with a wrench.

Officers went to the apartment and tried to talk with Speer. He then ran into a bedroom carrying a gasoline can.

Speer made several threats to set the room on fire, and then did so, Whatley said. He then ran out of the bedroom and was taken into custody.

Firefighters extinguished the small blaze. No one was injured.

Speer was booked into jail with bond set at $30,000.