Society

Hiker collared for starting bamboo blaze

OSAKA, Jan 09 (News On Japan) - A 73-year-old man claiming he was just going for a walk in the forest has been arrested on suspicion of lighting several fires.

The suspect, a resident of Minoh City in Osaka Prefecture with an unknown occupation, was arrested for arson, including setting fire to a local bamboo thicket at around 9:00 AM on Sunday.

Three suspicious fires were confirmed in the vicinity from January 2 to 6. A police officer patrolling the area on the morning of January 7th spotted a questionable character lurking.

The man has denied the allegations, stating, "I went just went for a walk and entered the bamboo forest for a bit of exercise. I didn't start any fires."

Police are continuing their investigations.

by Brian Dentry

Source: ABCTVnews

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