Man restrained by crew and passengers after attempting to light fire on China flight

Chinese police and aviation authorities are investigating an incident in which a man started a fire while on board a plane

A Chinese flight was grounded and passengers evacuated after a man tried to light a fire on the plane before being restrained by passengers and crew.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China said that the an emergency landing was carried out and the man was taken into custody. Two people were injured in the incident.

The pilot issued a distress call and the plane was guided by aviation authorities to Guangzhou airport.

Emergency slides were used to evacuate the 95 passengers and nine crew from the plane.

The attempted arson occurred at around 1:00am on Sunday on board a Shenzhen Airlines flight from Taizhou to Guangzhou near Hong Kong.

Shenzhen Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement but did not offer additional details.

The man, who has not been named, boarded the plane at Taizhou airport, which screens all travellers from banned substances such as lighters and flammable liquids.

It has not been reported how the fire was started. Photos posted on local news sites showed a partially charred passenger seat and a burnt emergency exit door.

There have been a series of dangerous incidents on board Chinese flights recently, including passengers opening emergency exits and fights occurring between crews and passengers.

An investigation is underway to uncover the man’s motives.