Man refuses to leave burning home over money hidden in ceiling

A man from south China was reluctant to leave his burning home because he had stashed US cash worth over 200,000 yuan (US$31,561) in the ceiling of the bathroom, Xinhua news agency reported.

The man in his 60s, surnamed Chen, was unwilling to leave the scene despite police warning him several times when they arrived to evacuate occupants of the building in Nan’an County, Quanzhou City of Fujian Province on May 10.

Chen, his wife and his daughter-in-law were at home when the fire broke out. Chen had never mentioned the money to his family and was too embarrassed to tell police at first.

He finally confessed why he was so reluctant to leave to police, who then promised they'd do their best to help recover the money.

Although the fire was not a big one, it produced heavy smoke. 

Police finally located Chen's money using a flashlight and moistened masks after the fire had been extinguished.

According to an initial investigation, the fire was caused by worn electrical wiring.