One of Shiwang Palace's most famous murals, titled 'Summer Fishing Painting'.

Covering an area of 3,000m2, the Shiwang Palace complex consists of palaces, residences, gardens and a rear service area. It is not only an art gallery of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but also a source of data for historical research.

An investigation set up by the fire brigade and the public security services indicated that the blaze was caused by a human agency. A suspect, a dismissed employee by the name of Mao, was detained around midnight on October 5. Mao comes from Longyou town in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and formerly worked in the memorial section of Shiwang Palace. Resentment at his dismissal is believed to be the motive for the arson attack. The matter is still under investigation.

(China.org.cn October 7, 2008)