The Xiangshan arsonist, who had been quiet for a while, has struck again. The city’s famous hiking and night-viewing destination, Xiangshan Scenic Area, has seen multiple arson incidents this year. The perpetrator chose to set fires in the mountain’s pavilions between Friday evenings and the early hours of the morning. Police reviewed surveillance footage and identified a man aged around 30 to 40 as a prime suspect, believing he may be the same Xiangshan arsonist who has been active for years.
According to the Taipei City Fire Department, there were a total of 33 arson cases in the city last year, ranking as the third most common cause of fires. So far this year, there have already been five arson incidents at Xiangshan alone, occurring in March, May, and June, with the fires typically breaking out between midnight and 6 a.m.
As one of the Four Beasts Mountains, Xiangshan has long been a popular spot for locals to hike and relax, offering panoramic views of Taipei. However, since January 2008, the mountain has been hit by a series of arson attacks. Due to its mountainous location, firefighters must carry heavy equipment up the hill to extinguish the blazes, posing a significant challenge and also causing anxiety among hikers.
In late May and June this year, the arsonist struck again. Police reviewed relevant surveillance footage and identified a male suspect wearing a white T-shirt and carrying a backpack as a prime suspect. They posted the surveillance images on bulletin boards at Xiangshan, asking hikers for help in identifying the man. Police and firefighters have also increased patrols during late-night hours as a precaution.
Police and firefighters found that the suspected arsonist specifically targeted rest areas along the hiking trail from Tiger Mountain to Xiangshan, such as pavilions, sheds, vacant houses, and small temples. The suspect appeared to use materials readily available at the scene to start the fires.
Some hikers have condemned the arsonist as scum, describing the perpetrator as a ticking time bomb setting fires everywhere. Since Xiangshan is a major hiking destination near Taipei, many people often notice scorched remains in several spots, which causes unease. In May this year, some visitors saw a burned pavilion on Xiangshan, trees stripped of bark, and charred ground. At first, they thought it might have been caused by careless barbecuing, but later learned it was arson. This has led to concerns, with many hoping the police will quickly catch the suspect.