A woman in southwestern China has died after she set herself on fire to stop the demolition of her home, which local authorities have called violent resistance against the law.

Tang Fuzhen, an entrepreneur in Chengdu, died last Sunday after she doused herself in petrol and lit herself on the roof of her three-story house. Her family said the eviction and demolition crews of Jinniu District of the city did not help, reported Southern Metropolis Daily Wednesday.

A camera caught the "horrific" self-immolation and the video clip has been swirling on Internet forums since last Sunday.

Tang's husband and son were detained by police after the incident, and they were not allowed to visit Tang in hospital, Tang Fuying, the victim's sister, told the newspaper.

Tang Fuying showed a video showing that the families were stopped by an official in front of the hospital gate on November 29. The official told the families to calm down and wait for the authority's consent to go into the hospital.

Tang Fuzhen died while they waited outside, said Tang Fuying. Their home has been torn down and there is nowhere to place the memorial tablet.