The Higashi-Sumiyoshi Case
On July 22, 1995, a fire destroyed the home of a family in the city of Osaka. One of the family's two children was in the bath and failed to escape. The police assumed arson and coerced confessions out of the parents. Japan does not have professional arson investigators, and in the face of the state's claims, both the mother and father were sentenced to life imprisonment. (Read about the story).
According to Mr. Peter Klaput, one of America's foremost fire investigators, the fire began as a result of both gasoline fumes and liquid gasoline leaking from the fuel exit cap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Description of the pictures
Picture 1
The van in the garage after the fire.
Picture 2
Side view of the van. Notice the red paint under the fuel cap.
Picture 3
Perhaps the most telling picture-a close-up of the fuel cap showing the original paint underneath. According to Mr. Klaput, the paint remained because the surface underneath was wet from gasoline leakage. Liquid gasoline will not burn.
Picture 4
Proximity of the bath heater to the gas cap area. Pictured on the right is a water heater for a Japanese bath. The heater is outside the bathroom. The bath ( on the other side of the wall) is first filled with water, and then heated. Originally this heater was installed outdoors. The garage was added later.
Picture 5
A photo from the opposite angle of the van and the water heater.
The Support Association for the HIgashi-Sumiyoshi Case desperately seeks evidence which can be used in this case. Of particular relevance are vehicle fires which occurred as a result of fuel leaks, particularly through the gas intake area. We welcome advice and comments from concerned parties throughout the world!