CHENNAI: In a tragic incident, a 45-year-old man allegedly attempted self-immolation in Sivakasi of Virudhunagar district and set fire to four others, including his wife and children.

The incident occurred at around 5.45 am, when the victims were asleep in a house located on Muslim Odai Street in Sivakasi, sources said. Sivakasi Town police inspected the scene of the crime and held inquiries.

Inspector Selvam said Akbar Ali (45), who set the inmates on fire, was out on conditional bail five days ago in an attempt to murder case.

Some years ago, Syed Ali Fathima (42) of the same locality married Ali as her second husband. Her first husband, Mubarak Ali, died in a fatal accident a decade ago. She has a son and a daughter, and she took care of her children. Meanwhile, last month, Fathima received Rs11 lakh from an insurance settlement from the fatal accident.

After learning about this, Ali demanded the insurance money from Fathima, who refused to give him, citing that he would needlessly spend it on alcohol.

Enraged by Fathima’s refusal, he attacked her verbally and physically. The aggrieved Fathima then complained to Sivakasi Town police. Subsequently, Ali was arrested and jailed. After the complaint had infuriated Ali, who had been on bail, he made up his mind to kill Fathima and her children. The enraged Ali, with a petrol can moved to Fathima’s house, climbed up a ladder and made his way into the house, doused Fathima, her son Syed Parveen (15), daughter Parveen Banu (18) and his mother-in-law Sikkandar Beevi (65) with fuel. Ali also set fire to himself.

While Beevi succumbed to burns after being admitted to Sivakasi GH, Ali, Fathima and his son are in critical condition with severe burns. Banu suffered burns to 40 per cent of her body, sources said. Sivakasi Town police have filed a case.