(Mainichi)
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Police on Sunday identified Morio Tanimoto as the 61-year-old male patient suspected of starting a fire at a mental clinic in Osaka two days earlier that killed 24 people.
Tanimoto, who remains in a serious condition, was among 27 people taken to hospitals after the fire raced through the clinic in a multiple tenant building in the western Japan city on Friday.
The police continued to inspect the scene on the fourth floor of the building in Osaka's Kita Ward on Sunday and are investigating whether there was any trouble between the suspect and the clinic.
According to investigative sources, Tanimoto was identified from security camera footage taken within the psychosomatic and psychiatric clinic where the fire started around 10:15 a.m. Friday. The police have found his registration card for the clinic.
The victims are all believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the police.
On Friday, the clinic was scheduled to hold a group session for patients on temporary sick leave to help them return to work. Some of the victims may have been there to attend the session.
Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0