Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian drug addict set his home ablaze in a fit of rage after his mother refused to give him 2 ringgit (65 cents), reports said Tuesday.

The fire, which was set in the 35-year-old's room, spread and destroyed three of his neighbours' homes in the Monday evening incident which left 20 people homeless, the Malay-language Berita Harian daily said.

The suspect's stepfather, Ibrahim Sulong, said his stepson had hit his 65-year old wife in the forehead when she refused to give him the money.

The woman, who had to receive seven stitches from the wound, then lodged a police report against her son, he said.

"After she was attacked, my wife made a police report. As soon as he realised the police were coming to get him, he got angry and set his room on fire," said Ibrahim.

The fire spread rapidly and by the time firefighters arrived at the scene, three other homes were razed to the ground, the report said.

"The estimated losses amount to about 200,000 ringgit (62,500 dollars)," said officer in charge, Mohamad Shukri Ismail.

No injuries were reported in the incident, he said.

The suspect has been remanded to assist investigations. (dpa)