A Cedarhurst man is accused of stabbing his father and punching his mother during a fight.

Police say Brian Alejo, 21, got into a fight with his parents at their Oakland Avenue home. They say he fled to a house around the corner on First Street, where he set fire to the garage.

The aftermath of that fire left one home uninhabitable. Its windows were boarded up on Sunday. A house next door sustained serious damage. Neighbors say those homeowners can no longer access their top floor.

Investigators say Alejo fled the scene of the fire and later surrendered to police. Once in custody, police say he had to be restrained by several officers after trying to flee again.

During a court appearance Saturday, prosecutors say Alejo stabbed his father 17 times and assaulted his mother with a closed fist before he fled to the First Street garage. Both were being treated at a hospital.

Richard Shapiro says he was inside the First Street home when it went up in flames. He was staying in his car in the driveway, and says he plans on getting a hotel room. He called it a horrible fire, but says he's glad no one was hurt.

Alejo is facing charges that include attempted murder, assault and arson. He's due back in court later this week.