Positive ID made of suspected arsonist in Hangzhou bus fire

A 34-year-old man has been identified as the primary suspect in a bus fire in downtown Hangzhou that injured 32 passengers on Saturday, Hangzhou Public Security Bureau announced early Tuesday.

The suspect, Bao Laixu, was also badly injured in the fire and is now receiving treatment in a hospital. His injuries had previously kept police from making a positive identification.

He was identified after police posted his phone number online and co-workers called the Hangzhou police, according to The Beijing News.

Bao is a migrant worker from Northwest China's Gansu province who has lived in Zhejiang province for several years. Hangzhou is the capital of the province.

Before setting the bus ablaze, Bao worked in the warehouse of Jiachen Paper Company in the nearby city of Yiwu. He disappeared from work on June 19.

After six days, he replied to a message from his boss, telling her that he would not be coming back to work for a few days.

He came to Hangzhou Saturday morning and caught the bus at 4:09 pm which he later set on fire.

The motivation for Bao's arson is still under investigation, police said.

Bao suffered from tuberculosis and had lived alone for many years.

Police said he had previously spoken to others about his intention to commit copycat crimes to seek fame.

"He seemed to be depressed," one of his former colleagues told the police.

Bao allegedly left his impoverished hometown in Zhangxian county, Gansu province six years ago after quarreling with his brother.

Media reports have said that he had not returned home or seen his parents since then.