Mandatory treatment order report called for man responsible for Joo Seng Road fire

Liu had placed two pieces of charcoal and fire starters in a stainless steel pot. He placed the pot on a metal rack near the open window of his living room, and added more charcoal.

As the fire grew bigger, it set alight a plastic curtain and spread to the whole unit.

Liu tried to put out the fire but was unsuccessful. He then informed his neighbours to evacuate and called the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

The residents, which included his elderly parents, suffered from smoke inhalation.

According to court documents, the fire caused between $80,000 and $100,000 in damages.

Liu was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health after his arrest.

He was found to be suffering from delusional disorder at the time of the offence. He believed that his neighbours were shooting laser beams and sending strong currents through the ceiling to disturb him, and had lit up the charcoal to ward off the attack.

Liu will be sentenced in July.