HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Authorities are looking for a man they said hit his estranged wife with a car after setting a family home on fire in north Houston.
Pablo Patino, 27, is accused of setting a home on fire with his wife and stepdaughter inside. He then tried to run his wife over with a car.
The incident began around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday on Mortimer Drive which is near Antoine Drive and the Sam Houston Tollway.
The brother of the wife targeted by her estranged husband said he's still shaken up by the incident. A total of six family members were inside the home when it was set on fire.
"I was asleep," Logan Saldana said. "My mama comes screaming because she heard the dogs barking...I was really in survival mode."
Saldana said a total of six fires were set around the house. He tried to put the flames out with a fire extinguisher, but it didn't help.
"So I pulled the fire extinguisher and run towards the front door and start spraying where I see the fire," Saldana said. "My dad had that water hose hooked up and the firefighters came."
Saldana said the family escaped through a back door. They walked outside to find Patino in a car after hitting his sister with it and taking off.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office is now assisting in the investigation. Authorities plan on charging Patino with arson, violation of a protective order, and aggravated assault.
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.