Kochi: Christopher, who was set on fire by his neighbour on Friday, succumbed to his burns on Sunday. His wife, Mary, who also sustained burns, is currently receiving treatment.

The couple’s neighbour, William, died by suicide after setting the couple on fire. The incident occurred when the couple were returning home after a festival at the church on Friday evening. William doused the couple in petrol and set them on fire at Gold Street, near Lourdes Hospital. William, who fled the scene, was found hanging at his house.

A local representative told Manorama News that William was a troublemaker in the area. “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.

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