Woman admits to blaze that killed firefighters
Print Edition
A WOMAN yesterday admitted starting a fire in a factory which claimed the lives of three firefighters in Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang Province.
Li Lijuan, 49, told The Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court she set off the blaze at Hangzhou Youcheng Machinery Co Ltd on New Year’s Day to get back at a colleague she had a work dispute with.
She said she’s only intended to start a small fire and went “almost mad with distress” afterwards.
Li fainted during yesterday’s hearing, leading to the court being adjourned for 10 minutes at 1:55pm. When it resumed, Li was allowed to sit.
“I have regretted what I did countless times,” Li told the court. “I can only say one simple word; sorry. But I know this can redeem nothing.”
The blaze at the plastics mouldings factory spread quickly, as many flammable materials were stored there.
Some 400 firefighters with 60 fire vehicles evacuated 193 workers and battled the blaze for nearly 12 hours.
Three firefighters died and three were injured.
Nearly 12,000 square meters of workshops were destroyed and losses put at 60 million yuan (US$9.8 million).
Warehouse manager Li said she had wanted to get back at team leader Wang Ming.
“I just want to take revenge on Wang Ming,” she said. “After the fire, the boss would question her and then she would be unable to take her vacation.”
In the early hours of January 1, Li, climbed a wall, entered a warehouse, ignited boxes with a lighter and fled. She was detained on January 3.
Under Chinese law, arsonists face at least 10 years behind the bars, life imprisonment or even the death penalty if their actions cause severe injury, deaths or great losses.
The court didn’t deliver a verdict yesterday.
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