Taiwanese star Winnie Ho (何妤玟), 47, has recently come under scrutiny for possibly starting a fire in her home from smoking indoors.
According to reports, when the fire broke out, Winnie’s mum was heard asking the police: “What should we do? Will my daughter be sentenced?”
The police were then seen comforting Winnie’s mum. They said no one was hurt in the fire and so Winnie would not be held criminally accountable for the incident.
As of press time, the case is still pending investigation, and Winnie might have to make civil compensation.
Word of the conversation between Winnie’s mum and the police soon spread among the other residents, causing a flurry of panic. They began to suspect that Winnie had a part to play in starting the fire.
It was rumoured that the fire started as the air-con was turned on in Winnie’s home throughout the night.
There were suspicions that the air-con’s electrical wiring had caught fire because it had been chewed on by mice or damaged by nesting birds.
However, Taiwanese media who got hold of the fire department’s report of the incident revealed that the fire was not started by equipment malfunction but by the actions of a person instead.
According to a source, neighbours are used to hear loud singing coming from Winnie’s house in the middle of the night. However, they did not pursue the matter as Winnie is a celebrity.
It was clear there was already pent-up frustration among the neighbours about Winnie’s behaviour, and the fire was the final nail in the coffin.
It’s said that the residents have all been living in fear since the fire, with some claiming there’s still a burning stench lingering in the air. A number of neighbours have also moved temporarily to a hotel as their homes have been affected by the fire too.
Some of these neighbours are also looking to file a lawsuit against Winnie once the final report is out.
When questioned by reporters, Winnie said all she can do now is to “respect the investigation process”.
She is also talking to her neighbours and landlord. “If there is anything I can help with, whether through my actions or the law, I will do my best to handle the matter positively.”
And that’s why one should always avoid smoking at home.
Photos: Mirror Media, setn.com