On the afternoon of July 26, a fire broke out in the state-owned forest area of Yuping Mountain in Hongya County, Sichuan Province. According to online rumors, a construction team leader who had been trying to collect three years of unpaid wages from the real estate company Overseas Chinese City set fire to the Yuping Mountain Scenic Area in Meishan City as a revenge against society.
The forest fire incident was reported by the forest management station of Yuping Mountain in Hongya County, Sichuan Province. By 2:30 p.m. on the 26th, a sudden forest fire broke out in Yuping Mountain in Liujiang Town, Hongya County. By 9 p.m., the flames had been extinguished. The fire did not trap or cause any casualties, and local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
On July 27, a social media blogger who closely monitors sudden events in Chinese society, revealed that a netizen submitted a post claiming that Overseas Chinese City owed wages to the construction team leader for three years without resolution. This led the construction team leader to set fire to Yuping Mountain in Meishan City out of frustration. The chat records exposing this incident were reportedly deleted from the internet.
The blogger posted related videos and multiple screenshots of the chat conversations.
In one of the chat records, a person who sounded like a construction team leader (referred to as such in the description below) wrote, “Brothers, the Overseas Chinese City Pengshan District project owes over 700 workers wages for three years. I am sorry for letting everyone down. I am now penniless, burdened with debt, and cannot go on living. I apologize to my brothers, I will repay your wages in the next life. Today, I set over 20 fires on Yuping Mountain. Farewell! Take care of my wife and child.”
The chat screenshots also show that before the fire broke out (before 13:46), the construction team leader was discussing payment matters with someone.
He asked the other person, “It’s already past due. Is the company refusing to pay now? Are they just forcing people to death?”
The other person replied, “Whether they pay or not, it’s not a problem I can solve. I’m not avoiding responsibility. I’m just a worker, and I haven’t been paid either. I also want the company to pay salaries. You have to talk to the leaders. Last week, I already reported your issue to the leaders. X Chief (name blackened out) also said at that time that there’s no money in the account.”
At 2:03 p.m., the construction team leader messaged, “They are driving me crazy step by step. I have no money now. When will they pay me? I can’t go on living anymore! Letting everyone down by not repaying money, can they sleep peacefully at night? Will they take responsibility if someone dies? Will someone come to collect my body if I die?”
At 2:18 p.m., the construction team leader messaged again, “I have no money now, and I can’t go on living. I can’t afford meals every day and have to rely on friends for help. I think every day about how to get the money back and how to die. I can’t ask my family for money anymore, as I have been working outside. I should have money, so why won’t they give me any? I have some self-respect, don’t you? Aren’t you pushing someone like me to the edge at your age? Goodness gracious, aren’t you afraid of ghosts knocking at your door at midnight?”
Public information indicates that the Yuping Mountain Scenic Area in Meishan City is located 30 kilometers southwest of Hongya County in Sichuan Province, about 15-16 kilometers from the ancient town of Liujiang, with a forest coverage rate of 98.6%. It is renowned for its forest, ravines, waterfalls, and thrilling outdoor sports, making it a popular summer retreat destination.