Arsonist set deadly factory blaze that killed 14

A man arrested on suspicion of a deadly arson attack on an underwear factory in South China's Guangdong Province confessed Wednesday that he committed the crime out of anger over a labor dispute, according to investigators.

Fourteen people were killed in a blaze that broke out around 3:30 pm Tuesday at a factory in a four-story building in the province's city of Shantou. One worker was injured.

The local emergency response office on Wednesday identified the suspect as Liu Shuangyun, 26, from Hunan Province.

Liu was caught by police in Puning around 10 pm Tuesday. He allegedly bought petroleum, set the fire and fled the scene.

The fire was contained within half an hour, with more than 200 square meters burned.

Liu had worked in the factory for about a year and been paid on a piece-work basis to produce underwear.

The factory boss, surnamed Chen, continually docked his wages, deducting about 3,000 yuan ($481.8), said Liu while being questioned by police.

Chen refused to pay the sum to Liu when he recently tried to claim his wages, Liu said.

Chen was not in the building at the time of the arson attack.

Twenty-seven workers were at the factory when Liu set the fire. While 12 people were able to escape, 15 workers were trapped by the blaze.

Most of the victims were under 30 years old and were from nearby regions. Only one of the deceased was male.

Preliminary investigations indicated the incident was the result of arson. Most of the fatalities were caused by smoke inhalation, said Chen Zhiwei, a local police officer.

The case is still being investigated, and the city is working to determine the identities of the 14 dead and undertake safety checks of other factories.

Chendian township, home to the factory, is a known underwear production base, containing hundreds of such enterprises.