Suspect Arrested After Fire Devastates Taipei's Gay District

Sunday night a fire broke out in Taipei’s famous gay district and destroyed over four businesses and managed to reach several others in its fury. Among the wreckage lay some of the neighborhoods most historic gay bars.

Alvin Ching, owner of Café Dalida, told Gay Star News that the fire started near Alley’s Cat, a local pizza shop, and then spread to surrounding businesses. 

The fire has left many members of the community in dismay as they try to rebuild and come back from such a loss.

"It was heartbreaking to hear about the fire," said famous Taipei drag queen Magnolia La Manga. "Not only is Hong Lo (Red House Theater) a historic part of the city, it has also been the thriving heart of the gay scene for more than a decade."

G-MiXi, which was the place that got the worst of the damage, stated in a Facebook post earlier that the police have apprehended a suspect who is a homeless man and repeat offender who "destroyed nine years of hard work just because he was bored."

They also shared a few images pictures of the aftermath: