Pingdu arson confirmed

Police in Pingdu, East China's Shandong province announced Tuesday that it was arson that set a tent on fire amid a land dispute, leading to the death of one man, and injuring three others.

Seven suspects have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. The masterminds of the arson are allegedly a legal representative of a real estate developer and a village official accused of having grabbed land from local villagers.

Geng Fulin, 62, burned to death and three others were injured after a tent they were in caught fire on Friday. Speculation that the fire was set deliberately has caused uproar online. The men had pitched the tent in a bid to prevent developers from starting construction as they were unhappy with their compensation.

Pingdu government said via Sina Weibo Sunday that according to the city's land and resources bureau, "there is no such matter of illegal requisition or illegal demolition involved in the land requisition.