A man hanged himself after setting fire to his 19-year-old daughter after arguments over her love life, reports said today.

The girl was conscious when neighbours called the police and was able to tell them what had happened, but died later in hospital.

N Sadainid, 52, set his daughter Kalaivani ablaze after arguments over an alleged love affair of hers, the Malay Mail reported.

A neighbour, who declined to be named, said she heard the two quarrelling but did not interfere as they always argued about Kalaivani's love life.

Lying on floor

"I only went out to investigate when I heard Kalaivani's screams for help," she said.

A few minutes later, she saw Kalaivani engulfed in flames and rushed to call an ambulance and the police.

"When police arrived about 30 minutes later, I saw them breaking the front door to save Kalaivani who was lying on the floor."

"At the same time, her father could be seen hanging from a pole in the main hall." - AFP