A Columbia man was arrested Sunday morning after breaking into the residence of his ex-girlfriend and starting a fire.

Damon Lamont Poston Jr. broke into the apartment, located in the 200 block of Apple Tree Court, at about 4:30 a.m. He set a fire in the bedroom of his ex-girlfriend and took her car without permission, according to a news release.

The female was not present at the time of the fire, but her brother was inside the residence.

“The brother saw the suspect, and he also called the police,” Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Latisha Stroer said.

A total of 11 people were in the four-plex when the fire started, according to the news release. No one was injured.

Poston was arrested at his Columbia residence after a brief standoff with the police department.

“Officers surrounded the house and then talked him downstairs,” Stroer said. “He was cooperative.”

He has been charged with first-degree arson, first-degree burglary and felony theft.