Unhappy that he wasn’t allowed to step out of an elderly care centre to purchase a hearing aid with his girlfriend, an 81-year-old man proceeded to allegedly set the place on fire.
As a result, half of the building was destroyed in the blaze but thankfully no one was injured.
81yo M’sian man burns down old folks’ home over hearing aid
Padang Besar district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Shokri Abdullah said in a statement that the fire broke out at a senior citizens’ care centre housing 20 residents in Kaki Bukit, Perlis, at 8.31am yesterday (Aug 14).
He added CCTV footage from the care centre showed the fire was believed to have been ignited by the 81-year-old suspect, who was one of the residents, in a cupboard in the kitchen area, which then spread to the main hall, reported NST.
Shokri revealed the fire was sparked due to the suspect’s dissatisfaction towards the care centre’s caretaker.
“The suspect was reportedly upset after being refused permission to travel to Kangar to get a hearing aid with his girlfriend, who is also a resident at the centre.
“He was later arrested but released on police bail. We are currently working on assessing the estimated losses (caused by the fire),” he said.
The case is being probed under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire, which provides a maximum 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
No casualties reported
A spokesman from the Perlis Fire and Rescue Department spokesman told NST that about 50% of the building’s structure was destroyed in the fire.
He added upon receiving an emergency call at 8.32am, firefighters from the Padang Besar fire and rescue station were dispatched to the scene.
“They used a 60-metre hose line with two water jets to bring the fire under control by 9.31am. No injuries were reported, and the operation ended at 9.34am.”
READ ALSO:
