KUCHING: A man set fire to his father’s car in a violent family feud at Kampung Stenggang, Bau on Saturday.
Bau district police chief DSP Poge Nyaon said the 19-year-old suspect launched the arson attack following his father’s refusal for him to drive the car.
“The suspect’s 26-year-old brother and a 25-year-old brother-in-law also refused to hand him the car key which led the suspect to allegedly uttered threats of burning and bombing the car.
“The suspect then left the house and soon returned with a gas canister filled with gasoline and began pouring gasoline on the car, house walls and the front gate which he then lit with a lighter,” Poge said.
In an attempt to stop the suspect, both the brother and brother-in-law were doused with gasoline.
As the duo were standing next to the car, the fire soon spread to their bodies causing burn injuries to the brother’s head, abdomen, arms and legs while the brother-in-law suffered burns to his left legs.
The commotion attracted other villagers who helped to extinguish the flames with tap water.
“Upon realising the presence of the villagers, the suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle,” said Poge, adding that both victims drove to Bau Hospital to seek medical treatment.
Family members also called the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) for assistance. Poge said police also found a cylindrical object suspected to be a bomb which was handed over to the police bomb squad.
A police report was lodged against the suspect following the incident.
“Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect. The case will be investigated under Section 326 and Section 506 of the Penal Code and Section 7 of the Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958,” he said.
