Woman arrested for using alcohol, lighter to burn ants in court building

Taipei, Jan. 15 (CNA) A woman was arrested at the New Taipei District Court Wednesday after she used alcohol spray and a lighter to burn ants at a coffee kiosk while she waited for her husband to attend his trial, authorities said.

According to police sources, the 20-year-old woman, surnamed Chiang (蔣), was waiting at a self-service coffee kiosk in the courthouse lobby at around 8 p.m. Wednesday when the incident occurred.

Using a bottle of alcohol spray provided for customers, Chiang sprayed the countertop and then used her lighter to set it afire, with the intention of burning ants crawling on the kiosk counter, the sources said.

Firefighters were called to the scene, but the fire had been extinguished by the time they arrived, leaving several burn marks on the counter.

Chiang was later taken to Qingshui Police Station in Tucheng District to be questioned on suspicion of public endangerment.

According to a TTV News report, Chiang told police she had become bored while waiting for her husband and "wanted to burn the ants on the table."