Bayern Munich defender arrested in arson probe after house fire

Breno suspected of burning his own house down
Brazilian defender accused of 'grave arson'
Breno's burned down house
The Bayern Munich defender Breno has been arrested on suspicion of arson. Photograph: Michaela Rehle/Reuters

Bayern Munich's Brazilian defender Breno has been arrested in an arson investigation following a fire that gutted his house earlier this week.

The Munich prosecutor's office said Breno was taken into investigative custody on Saturday to prevent the 21-year-old player from fleeing or tinkering with evidence, according to the German news agency Dapd.

The prosecutors said they had opened an arson investigation against Breno. The player is suspected of "grave arson" in the case.

Police initially said the Brazilian managed to flee from his burning house in a leafy Munich suburb shortly after midnight on Tuesday. He was treated in a hospital for smoke inhalation as a precaution and was not seriously injured.

The fire gutted the house and caused up to €1.5m (£1.3m) worth of damage. Breno was alone in the house at the time.