Injured suspect held over Revenue Tower attack
Hundreds of people were forced to flee Revenue Tower in Wan Chai yesterday morning after an arson attack at a tax department public counter.
Last night, a man suffering burns was under police guard in hospital after being arrested on suspicion of using flammable liquid to start a fire at a counter on the fourth floor of the tower.
Security was stepped up at Revenue Tower after the attack. But civil service unions called for extra security at all open-counter government offices, saying they feared more abuse and violence as the economy deteriorated.
The 51-year-old suspect was nabbed at Tuen Mun Hospital yesterday afternoon when he sought medical treatment hours after the fire. Police had alerted all public hospitals to watch for anyone seeking treatment for leg burns after a man identified as the attacker was seen fleeing the building with his trousers on fire.
The attack happened at about 9.40am when a man approached payment counter No 5 at the Inland Revenue Department's Business Registration Office, where there were about 10 clients.
'The man poured inflammable liquid onto the counter, used a towel to wipe it and then used a lighter to set it alight before running away,' said Chief Inspector Ng Yeung-yin of the Wan Chai district crime squad.
