Police arrest serial arson suspect

INCHEON, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- Police arrested a 22-year-old man on Wednesday on suspicion of setting fires at three motels in Incheon and Seoul.

Police said the suspect set the fires last week out of frustration about his business failure and joblessness, according to Bupyeong Police Station.

No casualties were reported from the serial arsons, but police and fire fighters said there was some 30 million won (US$25,000) of property damage from blazes at two motels in Seoul and one in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon.

A commotion erupted on Thursday when dozens of guests staying at the Inchon motel evacuated hurriedly due to a fire that caused 10 million won in property damage, according to police.

After recently being discharged from military service, the young man opened a photography shop but soon failed, incurring credit card debt worth 1.8 million won.

He even attempted suicide after seeing his debt snowballing day by day, police said.

"At first my parents paid the debt I had, but I could not ask for more help from them," the suspect told the police. "I was left jobless and even failed to commit suicide. I set fires out of thought that I should go to prison."
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