Hong Kong man started fire at Covid-19 testing centre on housing estate to show dissatisfaction with arrangements, police say

Police have arrested a man who allegedly set fire to a bin at a Covid-19 testing site at a public housing estate in northern Hong Kong to express his disappointment with the service.

Officers received a report at 4.45pm on Saturday about the fire being set at the screening area located on a soccer pitch at Sun Chui Estate in Tai Wai, New Territories. Pictures and videos circulating online showed items inside the black bin burning and three staff members subduing a man while others helped put out the flames.

Acting superintendent Chan Ka-ying from the Crime New Territories South Regional Headquarters said the 27-year-old suspect, who had a record of mental illness, set the bin on fire and brought it to the centre via a back door.

“The staff there shouted at the man and attempted to stop him. But the suspect ignored them and sprayed deodorant at the bin, which worsened the fire,” Chan said, adding the employees had subdued the man and extinguished the fire using bottles of water. “We believed the man was upset with the arrangement of the testing centre, so he hoped to create chaos to express his dissatisfaction.”

The suspect was arrested for arson and possession of offensive weapons, after officers found two lighters and a 15cm-long box cutter on him. The force believed he acted alone.

No one was injured and an investigation was under way, a police spokeswoman said.

A force insider said the man allegedly shouted “Hong Kong people must resist” before he set the items on fire.