Man critically injured in suspected arson at Tin Shui Wai flat, alleged to be perpetrator

A 51-year-old man is in critical condition after a fire broke out in his public housing flat in Tin Shui Wai early Saturday morning. Police suspect the unemployed lone resident deliberately started the blaze in the kitchen and are treating the case as arson.

Firefighters found the man lying in his bedroom at Tin Chak Estate Chak Yun Building yesterday morning with burns covering about 20 percent of his upper body.

He was initially conscious and agitated but later fell into a coma.

After initial treatment at Tuen Mun Hospital, he was transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin for specialist care.

The fire was confined to the single unit and did not affect other residents.

Preliminary investigations by fire services and government forensic experts determined the point of origin was the kitchen and found the cause suspicious.

No one has been arrested yet, and police are examining the man's possible motive.

He has no recorded history of mental or physical illness.