Arson attack in China kills 18; 1 held

A fire tore through a karaoke lounge in southern China yesterday, killing 18 people and injuring another five, as authorities arrested a suspect.

The fire started after midnight in a three-storey building in Yingde, Guangdong province, and was put out shortly before 1:00 am local time, according to the police.

A preliminary investigation found that it was caused by arson. The suspect got into an argument, then used a motorcycle to block the building's door and lit the fire,  CCTV said.

Xinhua news agency, citing the city government, said the suspect, identified as Liu Chunlu, confessed after he was arrested at his home.