Woman succumbs to burn injuries, husband arrested

SHAH ALAM: A couple’s fight turned tragic after the woman was accidentally burnt by her husband.

The incident in Bukit Naga here, which occurred on Feb 7, led to the death of the 44-year-old woman on Saturday (Feb 16) after 10 days of treatment at a hospital. 

“Investigations showed that the victim was arguing with her husband at around 9pm," said Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Baharudin Mat Taib. 

"The suspect threatened to burn the house down by igniting petrol that he had bought. 

"However, the victim took the petrol container from the suspect’s hand and poured it on herself, daring him to burn her together with the house.

“The suspect, who was angry at her, took out a lighter to scare her, but the fire ignited the victim’s head shawl (tudung). The fire then spread to her body,” he said when contacted on Sunday (Feb 17).

ACP Baharudin added that the suspect tried to put out the fire.

“He called out for help and the victim’s family rushed to assist him. They then sent the victim to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang."

The fire led to the victim suffering burns at around 48% of her body, while the suspect suffered minor burns to his hands and feet. 

“The suspect was arrested on Feb 16 after he surrendered himself following the funeral,” ACP Baharudin said, adding that the 41-year old man has been remanded until Feb 21. 

It is learnt that the couple had been married for 19 years, and had five children between the ages of five and 18.
 
The couple began reportedly bickering around eight years ago over matters such as the victim coming home late from work.  

The case was originally classified under Section 307/309 of the Penal Code for attempted murder and suicide. 

However, it has now been changed to Section 304, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.