TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Three people died in an arson attack in Taichung’s Daya District on Thursday (April 11) after a disgruntled tenant retaliated when faced with eviction by the owner.
The 58-year-old surnamed Yang (楊) set a trap for a group of people who arrived on Thursday afternoon to evict him and his eldest son from the property. A woman surnamed Lin (林), a woman surnamed You (游), and Yang all died as a result of the attack, reported ET Today.
After the group entered the apartment at 2:55 p.m., Yang reportedly blocked the exits and doused the three victims and himself in gasoline. Taichung Fire Department received a report of a fire at 2:57 p.m.
Video footage of the incident shows Lin’s younger brother escape by jumping onto the street after escaping through a second-floor window. The man sustained burns and an injured leg, and is being treated at a nearby hospital.
You was a cousin of the Lins and a lawyer specializing in real estate, who had come to assist her cousins with the handover of the property and the eviction of Yang. The Kaohsiung Bar Association released a statement honoring You, and condemned the attack, reported NOW News.
In the 24 hours before the attack, Yang reportedly purchased 46 liters of gasoline which he stored in a large bucket at the entrance to the home. Investigators determined that after the three victims entered the house, Yang knocked over the bucket and ignited the gasoline.
According to reports, Yang owed NT$14 million (US$430,000) to the Lin family. Three years ago, Yang’s debt forced him to put a lien on the house which he previously owned with his wife, who was no longer living at the property.
The Lin family accepted ownership of the property with a contract stating that the property could be sold in five years if Yang was unable to make significant repayments on his outstanding debt. Yang disputed the seizure of the property, and allegedly expected the property would be returned to him after the five-year period.
After the lien agreement was made, Yang continued to live at the property as a tenant with a rent of NT$25,000 (US$775) per month. However, Yang had not paid rent for several years, which led to the NT$14 million debt to the Lins.
After seeking litigation in the matter, a Taichung court ordered Yang to vacate the property by April 8. Adding to Yang’s misfortunes, it was also reported that he suffered a stroke in recent weeks and had been unable to maintain a stable income.
In the past, the Lin and Yang families had some financial dealings and were on good terms. Yang had previously run a hardware business, and the Lins were upstream suppliers, but his business suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
