Penang police confirm the suspect acted alone in the fatal Butterworth house fire that killed a woman and her adopted daughter.
BUTTERWORTH: Police have concluded that a fatal house fire which killed two people was started by the victim’s son acting alone.
Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail (pic) said investigations into the December 10 incident in Taman Rathna, Telok Air Tawar, indicate the presence of criminal elements.
“The actual motive behind the suspect’s actions remains unknown as he is still receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.
Azizee stated that police are finalising the investigation papers for submission to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office.
A report from the Fire and Rescue Department detected traces of petrol inside the house.
In the incident, Hayani Yaakob, in her 50s, and her five-year-old adopted daughter Andra were burnt alive after being trapped.
The suspect, Hayani’s son, was injured when part of the roof structure collapsed.
