KULAI: Police have arrested two men following a house fire allegedly caused by fireworks, resulting in an estimated RM510,000 loss.
Kulai OCPD Supt Tan Seng Lee reported that the incident occurred on Thursday (Oct 31) at around 9.56pm. A 41-year-old woman reported the fire via the MERS 999 emergency line.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was an act of arson involving fireworks, causing significant loss to the female homeowner.
In response, Kulai District Police’s Criminal Investigation Department detained a 30-year-old man and a 23-year-old foreign national in connection with the incident. Various types of fireworks were seized during their arrest.
Supt Tan added that the foreign suspect tested positive for THC, the active compound in cannabis, during a preliminary urine test.
The suspects are now under investigation for multiple offences, including charges under Section 435 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire or explosive substances, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment and a possible fine.
They also face charges under Section 8 of the Explosives Act for possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances, resulting in penalties of up to seven years in prison or a fine of RM10,000.
The Kulai magistrate's court has approved a six-day remand for both suspects, from Nov 1 to Nov 6, to facilitate further investigations.
Kulai District Police urge the public to prioritise safety and abstain from using unauthorised fireworks, warning that strict legal action will be taken against violators.