Deadly bus fire suspect sought fame: police

Suspect of bus fire arson in Hangzhou is identified. (Photo/ Chinanews.com)

A suspect in a bus fire that injured 30 people in east China's Zhejiang province is thought to have carried out the attack to gain fame, said police on Tuesday.

Bao Laixu, the 34-year-old male suspect, expressed feelings of loneliness and pessimism to those who knew him, according to the Public Security Bureau of Hangzhou city.

He visited Hangzhou on Saturday and got on a bus packed with tourists near Lingyin Temple. He began pouring flammable liquid at 5:03 p.m. and set the bus on fire, police said.

Initial investigations and current evidence showed that the bus fire incident was committed by Bao himself without accomplice.

Bao is from the northwestern province of Gansu and has worked part-time in other cities, including Lanzhou and Guangzhou. He has had almost no contact with his family in his home village, villagers told police.

He has not been back to his hometown since August 2008 and has been in Zhejiang Province in recent years without a permanent residence.

Bao is among those severely injured in the incident who are being treated in the hospital. His exact motive is still unclear.