Death penalty possible in fatal arson case

A man is facing the death penalty after admitting to starting a fire that killed 18 people in a karaoke bar in Guangdong province in April.

Liu Chunlu, 32, was prosecuted on charges of intentional homicide and arson during a public hearing on Thursday in a court in Yingde.

The court heard that Liu arrived at the bar on Chayuan Road with friends on the evening of April 23 for a night of singing and drinking.