FIRE struck a trading company's warehouse two months after ginseng tea and bird's nest products stored there had been insured for $500,000, the District Court was told. Businessman Law Ip-chiu, 35, on trial before Judge Chua, has denied a charge of arson. Prosecutor Liza Remedios said in her opening address that the Government Chemist had concluded that the fire was the result of a deliberate act. The court heard that the Wing Yeung Trading Company was established by three partners - one of whom was Law, who ran it. On July 8 last year, Law rented premises in Wing Yiu Street, Kowloon, to store the goods. A $500,000 policy was taken out with Tai Ping Insurance Company at Law's suggestion to cover the merchandise. Fire services confirmed that traces of kerosene were detected from the debris after the blaze on October 16. Law was arrested on January 2.
