Fire in Dali, Taichung kills 5 surviving homeowners detained for arson and homicide

A fire broke out in a Tutian residence in Dali District, Taichung City yesterday. Five people from three generations in the house were sent to the hospital and died of serious injuries. The 66-year-old owner, surnamed Chen, claimed to set fire to drive away snakes. The application for detention was approved by the court early this morning.

Taichung Dali fire caused 5 deaths, and the surviving homeowner surnamed Chen was detained for arson and homicide. (file photo)

The Taichung District Court said today that the prosecution had requested custody of the case last night. After the judge convened a detention court hearing, it was determined that Chen Nan was suspected of being serious and that it was necessary to be detained. He ruled to be detained at 2 o’clock this morning.

The Taichung City Fire Department received a report at 3:52 a.m. on the 6th that a fire broke out at a house on Dongnan Road in Dali District.

The fire caused the deaths of the owner surnamed Chen’s 62-year-old wife surnamed Lin, 38-year-old eldest daughter Chen Nv, 32-year-old youngest son Chen Nan, 11-year-old eldest grandson surnamed Cao and 6-month-old grandson surnamed Zeng. The eldest son of the owner escaped death while delivering goods to Chiayi last night and the son-in-law was working abroad.

A fire broke out in a Toutian residence in Dali District, Taichung City in the early morning of the 6th. The fire department was reported to the scene to deal with it. The scene of the fire was a 3-storey Toutian building. Fire smoke came out of the first floor and waterlines were immediately deployed for rescue. (Provided by Taichung City Government) — A fire broke out in a Toutian residence in Dali District, Taichung City in the early morning of the 6th. The fire department was reported to the scene to deal with it. The fire scene was a 3-storey Toutian building. Fire smoke came out of the first floor and waterlines were immediately deployed for rescue. (Provided by Taichung City Government)

At the time of the incident, the owner surnamed Chen told the police officers who arrived at the scene that there were snakes in his home, so he set fire to them with sorghum and alcohol to drive them away. However, when the police asked him about the situation at the scene, they gave repeated statements. After the police inquiry, he was listed as a suspect. He was transferred to the District Prosecutor’s Office for investigation. After the re-examination last night, the prosecution found that he was involved in serious crimes such as arson and homicide, and applied to the court for custody.