Belfast fire blamed on former flatmate | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A young couple are hoping authorities will deport a man who has been accused of setting fire to their newly acquired home.

Howie Fu, 25, and his girlfriend had planned to move into the Tisch Pl, Belfast, home last Saturday but their plans were delayed when a disgruntled former flatmate allegedly broke into the property on Friday and set fire to a curtain in a bedroom at about 4.45pm.

The fire burnt the curtains, wall and carpet but fire safety officers say it could have potentially been worse had the home not been empty.

The alleged offender is a student at Canterbury University and is understood to be an overstayer.

Police say in addition to arson, he could be facing further charges including theft, intentional damage and unlawfully opening mail.

Mr Fu's neighbours saw the Chinese man exit the home shortly after the fire but at first thought it was the new homeowner. The man was still at the scene when police and firefighters arrived. He was apprehended.

Mr Fu, an electrical apprentice, said it would be a "relief" if the man was deported as they were concerned he may target the house again.

Mr Fu said it was "quite scary" and his girlfriend was left shaken by the incident.

"My girlfriend, she couldn't sleep for a few days after that."

"It's lucky people working on the street discovered the fire and ran across to the neighbours to borrow the phone," he said.

Mr Fu said it was an upsetting way to meet his neighbours.

"I feel terrible to bother my neighbours and terrify them as well," he said.


Mr Fu said he thought the man had a grudge against him because he was moving out of their Ilam flat.

"I looked after the power bill by myself because his passport expired so he couldn't get an account open."

Mr Fu said he and his girlfriend had given him two week's notice before they were to move and even tried to find him another flatmate but a group of students wanted to take over the flat, leaving him to search for a new home.

Mr Fu said he was surprised to see his former flatmate standing outside his house after the fire.


"We didn't tell him the address, we don't know how he got the address here."

He said police executed a search warrant of the man's house which uncovered he had stolen a number of his bank statements and mail.

"Maybe that's how he found out where we lived."


Mr Fu said they luckily had insurance for the property.


A neighbour, who did not wish to be named for fear of retribution, said: "It was all a bit dramatic really.

"All we knew was the house was sold to a young Asian guy. The guy who came out the house was a young Asian guy so we presumed he was the new owner. As it turned out they ended up arresting him. It was a bit much drama for Tisch Pl," she said.

The man is to appear in court tomorrow.