Guangdong karaoke bar arson victims identified

The 18 people killed in a fire at a karaoke bar in Yingde, Guangdong province, early Tuesday have been identified.

They include 16 locals and two people from Dongguan and Shantou cities in Guangdong, according to police from Qingyuan, which administers Yingde.

Fifteen of the fatalities are male and three are female.

Two people suffering from respiratory issues have been transferred to Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital for treatment, while three others are being treated at Yingde People’s Hospital.

Police have detained 32-year-old Liu Chunlu on suspicion of arson. A Yingde native, he is accused of blocking the only exit of the karaoke bar with his motorcycle and setting the vehicle on fire.

According to authorities, Liu has admitted to starting the fire after consuming alcohol and having an argument with his friends.