A disturbing incident in China has drawn widespread attention online after a man was allegedly filmed using a homemade flamethrower to set another man on fire in a public street. The shocking act, which reportedly resulted in the victim’s death, was said to be driven by suspicions of marital infidelity.
According to Chinese media reports circulating on social platforms, the incident allegedly took place in Jiangsu province on February 2. Footage shared online appears to show a man being engulfed in flames while bystanders look on in horror. The authenticity of the video has not been officially verified, but it has spread rapidly across multiple platforms.
Reports attributed to SingTao Headline stated that the victim later succumbed to his injuries. As of several days after the incident, local authorities had not issued a formal public statement, leaving many details unconfirmed.
ALLEGED INFIDELITY SPARKED VIOLENT REVENGE
Online rumours suggest that the attacker believed his wife had been involved in an extramarital affair and had not returned home for months because she was living with the victim. People claiming to have inside knowledge of the situation alleged that the man became increasingly convinced that he had been betrayed.
Prior to the fatal attack, the husband was said to have confronted his wife and the alleged lover at their residence while carrying a knife. However, reports claim he was overpowered and beaten during the confrontation, which may have further fuelled his anger and resentment.
Following this incident, the man allegedly decided to plan his revenge. According to 8world, he purchased parts online and assembled a flamethrower himself, highlighting how easily dangerous weapons can be constructed using readily available materials.
VICTIM ALLEGEDLY BEGGED AND OFFERED COMPENSATION
Witness accounts shared online painted a grim picture of the final moments before the attack. The victim was allegedly seen kneeling on the ground, pleading for his life as the perpetrator approached with the weapon.
Some netizens claimed that the victim even offered financial compensation in an attempt to stop the assault. The sum was reportedly 500,000 yuan, which is approximately S$92,000, a figure that underscores the desperation of the situation. Despite this, the attacker allegedly proceeded to set the man on fire.
Such claims have not been independently verified, but they have intensified public debate around emotional violence, jealousy, and the severe consequences of unresolved domestic conflict.
CALM AFTERMATH SHOCKS ONLINE VIEWERS
Perhaps most chilling were accounts of the moments following the attack. Videos and witness statements alleged that after police arrived at the scene, the suspect sat calmly on a roadside kerb and lit a cigarette while officers conducted their investigation.
One individual claiming to be an eyewitness said the man showed little emotion as he waited to be arrested. He was reportedly heard saying that he had “planned early on to die together with the victim”, suggesting premeditation and a complete disregard for his own life.
The case has sparked discussions across Asia, including in Singapore, about the dangers of unchecked rage, the mental health impact of relationship breakdowns, and the importance of early intervention. It has also raised concerns about public safety, legal accountability, and how such extreme acts can occur in everyday urban environments.