Kochi man sets neighbours on fire, found dead later

Kochi: In a shocking incident, a man died by suicide after setting a couple in his neighbouring house on fire here on Friday. The couple, Christopher and Mary, who sustained 50 per cent burns, are admitted to a private hospital in the city. The deceased is William, a native of Pachalam. He doused the couple with petrol and set them on fire on Friday evening at Gold Street, near Lourdes hospital. The couple were returning home from a church festival. Later, he fled the scene. While police were searching for him, he was found hanging inside his house.

A quarrel between the neighbours reportedly led to the attempted murder and subsequent suicide, reported Manorama News. William attacked the couple while the neighbours were busy celebrating a church festival.  A local representative told Manorama News that William was a troublemaker in the area. He added that he had held talks with him after receiving complaints about him.

“The incident took place around 7.50 pm. William attacked Christopher and his wife when they were returning home on a bike after attending a church festival. Natives rushed them to a nearby hospital. Mary had filed a police complaint against William for dumping waste in their compound. I had held mediatory talks with William to end the quarrel between the neighbours. At the time, he promised me that he would not cause any more trouble,” he said. He added that Christopher is in critical condition.

William was living alone in his house. Another neighbour told Manorama News that the police had previously booked William for attacking his own brother.