GUANGZHOU - Nine people suspected of committing arson were arrested in South China's Guangdong province Thursday evening, local police said Friday.

A fire broke out around 2:10 am Thursday in a roadside store in Chang'an township in the city of Dongguan, the police said.

Four people, including two children, the store owner's brother and his wife, were killed in the fire.

Police said the fire was an act of arson after interviewing witnesses and checking surveillance video. A special investigative team has been set up for the case.

An initial investigation showed that a suspect surnamed Dai, as well as his wife, had a contract dispute with the store's owner, a man surnamed Chen. Dai then asked seven others to help him settle the dispute by setting the store on fire.

The case is still under investigation.