Man arrested after cutting gas hose, starting fire in New Taipei City apartment

A man's late-night act of setting fire to a gas hose in his New Taipei City apartment sent shockwaves through the residential building, prompting a swift response from emergency services.

The 42-year-old man, identified by the surname Lin, reportedly used a tiger-claw knife to cut the gas hose of a cylinder in his rear balcony around 10 p.m. He then ignited the escaping gas, while brandishing the knife and shouting, terrifying his neighbors. His grandson, who was also in the apartment, fled downstairs and alerted others to the danger.

Responding rapidly, firefighters and police from the Yuanshan Police Station arrived at the scene within minutes. Officers immediately moved to subdue the agitated man, disarming him and taking him into custody as a suspect caught in the act. Firefighters then deployed water lines and successfully extinguished the fire, which had spread to approximately 3 square meters of miscellaneous items on the balcony, within 20 minutes.

Authorities evacuated 29 residents from the building as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The man has been handed over to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office to face charges related to endangering public safety.