In a shocking incident in Singapore, a man's frustration with his grandmother turned into a dangerous act of arson, highlighting the darker side of family disputes.

Lenard Tan Yong Jia, 27, was sentenced to seven months in jail after setting fire to cardboard wedged between the metal gate and wooden door of his grandmother's flat. The alarming event occurred on April 18, when Tan found himself unable to enter his home due to the locked gate.

Though the door was open, his grandmother, fearing her grandson who she suspected was involved with drugs, chose not to respond to his repeated phone calls. Driven by anger, he ignited cardboard and pushed it into the entrance, recording the fire and sending a chilling message to his uncle: "you want to play with me, I burn and let you see."

Luckily, neighbors alerted Tan’s grandmother to the flames, allowing her to douse the fire with water before it escalated into a greater disaster. However, the fire still left significant damage, costing an estimated S$7,000 (US$5,500) in repairs.

When Tan was found later that day with a lighter and two penknives, he was promptly arrested. The court proceedings revealed the shocking nature of his actions, with the Deputy Public Prosecutor emphasizing the potential danger to his grandmother's life.

Tan faced charges of mischief by fire, which could have led to a lengthy prison sentence; however, the court settled on a seven-month term. This incident serves as a startling reminder of how personal conflicts can escalate dangerously, and the consequences that follow.