M'sian woman, 46, allegedly burns down wrong house in Johor while chasing debtor

A Malaysian woman allegedly burnt down the wrong owner's house while chasing her debtor in Kluang, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

The alleged loan shark set a home on fire at around 3am on Sep. 5.

The fire spread so quickly that it not only engulfed the home, it also affected a total of four adjacent terrace houses.

Firefighters rushed to extinguish the fire after receiving the report.

Shin Min Daily News reported that Malaysian police had arrested a 46-year-old local woman suspected of arson to assist in the investigations.

Real debtor moved out

The alleged loan shark was supposedly chasing a debtor, which led her to the house that was burnt down.

However, it turns out that the previous owner who owed the debt had already moved out.

The current owner, Qiu, who moved into the house at Taman Permai, Kluang, ended up becoming the victim of the fire.

Near escape for current owner

Qiu, her husband and their two children narrowly escaped the fire.

They were sleeping soundly when several petrol bombs were thrown into their yard and began burning.

Their neighbours noticed and triggered the car alarm to warn the family of four, allowing them to escape in time.

However, the fire caused extensive damage to Qiu's home and several nearby residences.

The fire affected a total of four adjacent terraced houses. On top of that, the victims' courtyards and two cars were almost completely destroyed.

Residents found a threatening note at the scene as well.

Previous owner

In addition, the previous owner claimed he was the victim of a "forced loan scam".

The man, who works in Singapore, told the Kluang MP on Sep. 6 that loan sharks had forcibly transferred over RM32,868 (S$10,036) into his bank account in Singapore.

They then falsely accused him of loaning money.

Shin Min Daily News reported that the previous owner will file a police report in Singapore and will also file one in Kluang upon his return.

Kluang police chief Assistant Commissioner Bahrin issued a statement on Sep. 6.

Bahrin said the authorities had arrested a woman.

She was arrested at around 3am on Sep. 6.

Investigations revealed that the woman had no criminal record, and the suspect was remanded for seven days to assist in further investigations.

Top photos via China Press