Alor Setar: A man was found with chops on his hands and face and his body was burnt at Jalan Simpang Kuala here, today.

In the incident at about 7am, members of the Jalan Raja Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) received a call regarding a fire at an old cinema building in Simpang Kuala.

*Photo for illustration purposes only.

Kedah Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk G Suresh Kumar said firefighters who carried out the extinguishing operation later found the body of a man under a burning sofa and mattress.

He said the police who were informed of the incident later found the body of an unidentified man in his late 40s in the upstairs room of the building.

Examination found there were traces of pressure injuries on the hands and face of the corpse believed to have been killed.

"We also found that there was a sofa on the body and a mattress that was burnt to ensure that the victim died," he said when met at the scene today.

Also present at the location was Kota Setar District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Shukri Mat Akhir.

Suresh said, following the incident, they detained a 59-year-old man who was around the location at 9.15 am to assist in the investigation.

He said the investigation at the location also found a knife at the lower floor of the old cinema building.

Police tracked down the suspect who was around the building and a check found he had some previous criminal and drug records.

"We believe this incident may have involved more than one suspect, but it did not involve gangs or anything like that," he said.

Suresh said the case was investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code and the victim's body was sent to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) for further examination.

It is understood that the old cinema involved has become a place for homeless people to rest and sleep at night as it has been abandoned by its owner for a long time.