BUFFALO, N.Y. — It could be some time before the Buffalo man accused of blowing up his home last week sets foot in court.

Santo Coke, 73, has been held at ECMC's psychiatric unit since last Thursday.

Police took him there after they say he disconnected a gas line inside of his North Buffalo home and lit a candle in an apparent suicide attempt.

The resulting explosion and fire destroyed Coke’s home and damaged two others.

He's facing arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment charges in the case.

But he hasn't physically appeared in court yet because doctors are still determining if he is competent enough to do so.

"If the person is deemed to be competent by two or more psychiatric examiners, then the court will schedule a felony hearing,” said Daniel Grosso, Coke’s attorney. “If he's not competent, the judge could order him to be held until competency can be restored."

The case returns to court on May 1, where a judge will get an update on Coke's competency.