The man who confessed to a journalist that he set a Rockville home on fire was ordered held without bond on three counts of dangerous endangerment and arson.
More than 70 firefighters responded to heavy flames at a two-story home in the 300 block of Horners Lane around 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Pete Piringer with Montgomery County Fire said officials had suspected someone had set the house on fire because of how quickly it spread and the possible use of accelerants.
Carlos Peralta, 27, approached a photo journalist and later police to confess to setting the fire.
Three of Peralta's roommates were home at the time of the fire.
One of the roommates told police he awoke to the smell of gasoline in the house and saw a pile of rags in the kitchen on fire. He then heard Peralta yelling, "Fire!"
Peralta's sister told investigators her brother suffers from schizophrenia and is alcoholic.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
He has been charged with three counts of reckless endangerment and arson. Peralta is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon in Montgomery County District Court.
Six people were displaced in the fire, which caused approximately $400,000 in damage.