A man is accused of deliberately setting fire to the living quarters of his common-law partner.

A 59-year-old Burlington man has been charged with arson endangering life and arson damaging property following a weekend blaze in an upstairs bedroom of a home on Deerhurst Drive.

Halton Regional Police’s arson team is investigating the Sunday afternoon fire that left three residents, including the accused, suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire department was called to the two-storey home in the Burloak Drive/New Street area around 3:30 p.m. for a structure fire.

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Upon arrival, Burlington firefighters encountered a small fire and light smoke visible inside the dwelling, which they quickly extinguished.

A natural gas line was disconnected inside the home. Police believe it was done on purpose.

Halton police Sgt. Paul Davies said Monday that six people live in the home in what he described as a rooming house type of arrangement. Police have passed that information to the City of Burlington’s bylaw and building inspection departments.

Among the six are two couples with one of the couples living in separate areas of the home. Police allege the accused set fire to the bedroom of his female partner, who was at work at the time.

A 59-year-old woman on the second floor of the home was rescued by a 46-year-old man who was in another part of the residence. Both suffered minor smoke inhalation.

The accused went to hospital with more severe smoke inhalation. He was kept under police guard and later transferred to the custody of Maplehurst correctional facility officers. He remains under guard at Joseph Brant Hospital.