Suspected murder and suicide inside fire-damaged flat
Police believe son, 53, attacked his father, 89, with knife before starting Wan Chai blaze
A son is suspected of attacking his 89-year-old father with a knife and setting fire to their flat in Wan Chai early yesterday, with both men losing their lives.
Investigators last night classified the case as murder, suicide, and arson.
Fourteen fire engines and four ambulances were deployed when police received multiple reports of the incident at the sixth-floor flat of Kam Lok Mansion on Lockhart Road at 3.47am.
Fourteen residents were led to safety by firefighters while another 25 people had fled before emergency personnel arrived, according to the Fire Services Department. The blaze was put out by 4.55am.
According to police, the charred body of the father, who had lived in the flat for more than 30 years, was found in one of the two bedrooms.
“There was also a 2cm-long cut wound in his chest caused by a sharp weapon,” Superintendent Sin Kwok-ming, an assistant Wan Chai district commander, said. Police found a knife beside the victim.
The 53-year-old son, who had a 1cm-long knife wound to his chest and serious burns to his body, was found unconscious in the bathroom. He was sent to Ruttonjee Hospital where he died at 5.48am.
After an initial investigation, police believed that the two men had a dispute.
“Our initial investigation showed the two were in the flat at the time of the incident and there was no evidence to suggest that a third party was involved. The doors and windows were all locked,” Sin said.
There was no evidence to suggest that a third party was involved
SUPERINTENDENT SIN KWOK-MING
He revealed that two cans of accelerant were found and would be sent to a laboratory for examination. Two knives were also recovered.
Police said an autopsy would be carried out to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact officers on 3660 7546.