Tokyo police arrested a 78-year-old man on suspicion of killing a family member by dousing her in gasoline and igniting it at the stove in his home, a fire that also injured his wife and her son.
The Kamata police station arrested Makoto Seki, a company employee of Haneda 3, Ota Ward, on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and arson of an occupied building, the Metropolitan Police Department said. The arrest was made on Tuesday.
Seki told investigators he had meant to die as well, according to the station. Police believe the family had been in a financial dispute.
Dispute over selling the house
The fire broke out at around 9:40 a.m. on July 26. Seki is suspected of pouring gasoline over Michiyo Terashima, 61, as she used the gas stove in the second-floor kitchen of the house, then setting it alight and killing her.
He is also suspected of trying to kill his 83-year-old wife and Terashima's 31-year-old eldest son, who were in the house at the time.
Terashima was the daughter of Seki's wife, according to the station. The wife and Terashima's son suffered burns to the face and elsewhere, and Seki was hospitalized for more than three months with his own injuries.
The family had discussed selling the house. Seki's relationship with Terashima had soured over their future living arrangements and money, according to the station.