BOSTON, Aug. 7, 2012—A Brighton man was held on high bail for allegedly setting the fire that led Boston firefighters and police officers to discover a dead body in a Fidelis Way apartment, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

HUAN YUAN LI (D.O.B. 7/28/57) was arraigned in Brighton District Court today on charges of arson, assault with a dangerous weapon, and hindering a firefighter for allegedly setting the fire and threatening responding firefighters with a pair of scissors as they attempted to douse it. Judge David T. Donnelly imposed $100,000 cash bail and ordered Li to surrender his passport.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Lee of Conley’s Homicide Unit said Boston firefighters and the building management staff responded to what they believed was a kitchen fire in the apartment in which Li had been staying. Li was armed and combative as they did so, and Boston Police took him into custody.

Once Li was removed from the scene, prosecutors said, firefighters concentrated their efforts on what they believed was a pile of burning debris – only to realize that it was in fact the body of an older female.

Authorities have tentatively identified the deceased but are not releasing her identity until it is confirmed and next of kin can be notified. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not yet made a determination as to the cause or manner of the woman’s death and no homicide charges have been brought at this time.

Li was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital for smoke inhalation; he was later diagnosed with tuberculosis, leading to his continued hospitalization. Doctors cleared him for release late yesterday.

Li was represented today by attorney Elda James. He will return to court on Aug. 30.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.