An abode seeker on trial for murder and arson testified yesterday he had poured paint thinner on himself at Immigration Tower but had no intention of harming himself or anyone else.
Pang Hong-kwan said he had not taken fellow abode claimant Lam Siu-sing, 26, seriously when Lam had suggested they pour the fluid on themselves and pretend to threaten suicide to prevent immigration officers evicting them.
After dousing himself, Pang whispered to Lam not to ignite his lighter, the court heard. But seconds later, Room 1301 of Immigration Tower began to fill with smoke and flames.
Lam died in hospital nine days after the August 2 blaze last year, as did senior immigration officer Leung Kam-kwong, 42.
Pang, 40, suffered severe burns to his head and body and testified yesterday wearing special pressure bandages.
Pang told the Court of First Instance that Lam had given him a bottle of thinner at about 4pm and told him to pour it on himself if immigration officers tried to evict them.
He said the pair agreed that Lam would pretend to flick a lighter.