A 29-year-old Dearborn Heights man accused of setting fire to a woman’s home while she was inside with two children is competent to stand trial.

Washtenaw County 14B District Court Judge Charles Pope made that determination Wednesday based on a report from an Aug. 8 psychological exam requested by attorneys to determine whether Akil Alexander understands the arson charge he faces.

Authorities say Alexander set fire to a woman’s Ypsilanti Township home April 10 because he was upset she broke off a relationship with him.

If convicted of the crime, he could face 20 years in prison for the felony charge.

Akil Alexander

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Derrick Jackson said deputies responded to the home on Maplelawn Drive around 1:30 a.m. April 10 after reports of a loud explosion.

A small portion of the home’s exterior had been set on fire, he said. The residents were evacuated.

Ypsilanti Township firefighters extinguished the blaze roughly 10 minutes after arriving on the scene, Capt. Larry James said in April.

Alexander remains in the Washtenaw County Jail awaiting a probable cause hearing rescheduled for Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m.

His family, present in court Wednesday, declined comment after a hearing on the case was adjourned.

Heidi Fenton covers police and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heidifenton@annarbor.com or 734-623-4673. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.