18 dead after fire in Guangdong karaoke bar, arson suspect arrested
At least 18 are dead and five injured in the southern Chinese city of Qingyuan 清远, Guangdong province, after a fire ripped through a small karaoke bar just after midnight last night.
CCTV reports that the fire was started by a man who had gotten into an altercation earlier that evening. He reportedly blocked the club’s only exit-entrance with his motorcycle before lighting the fire. The KTV lounge was part of a larger three-story building.
Qingyuan police reported on its social media account this morning that they have detained a 32-year-old man surnamed Liu on suspicion of arson. Police had previously offered a 200,000 RMB ($31,700) reward for his capture.
