The suspect, Huynh Minh Trung, 43, from Tan Khai township, Hon Quan district, Binh Phuoc province, was apprehended on the evening of May 10 after nearly 11 hours on the run. He was captured by criminal investigators while hiding in Binh Phuoc.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency, Trung has confessed to setting the fire due to emotional jealousy involving Nguyen Thi T., 48, a woman he had been in a relationship with. Trung suspected Ms. T. was romantically involved with another man, which sparked his deadly plan.

At around 9 a.m. on May 10, Trung filled two plastic containers with a total of about 7 liters of gasoline. He rode his motorbike bearing license plate 93L1-351.88 from his home to a rental house deep inside alley 4, Street 182, Tang Nhon Phu A ward, Thu Duc City - where Ms. T. lived.

At the time, Ms. T.’s 23-year-old son H.A.D. and two welders were at the house, reportedly carrying out repair work. After a heated exchange with one of the welders, Trung poured gasoline into the living room and set it ablaze, then hurled the second canister into the flames before fleeing.

Locals reported hearing a loud explosion followed by intense flames rising from the home. Despite efforts from neighbors, the fire spread quickly. Firefighters and rescue teams were deployed with three fire engines and 30 personnel and managed to fully contain the blaze within 30 minutes.

Rescuers found three victims inside. Ms. T. had been burned beyond recognition and was declared dead at the scene. Mr. Nguyen Van H., 50, from Binh Duong, who was at the house during the fire, died later in hospital. H.A.D. suffered severe burns and remains in critical care at Cho Ray Hospital.

Investigators say Trung and Ms. T. had been in a volatile relationship marked by frequent arguments. The fire, sparked by jealousy, has not only left two families grieving but also shocked the local community.

The police have classified the case as murder by arson, and Trung remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Dam De