Man of unsound mind arrested after setting fire to houses in ‘Container City’

Police have arrested a man of unsound mind who allegedly set a fire that destroyed four houses at West 1/2 Y Squatting Area, Container City, Georgetown on Thursday morning.

The Guyana Fire Service said the fire engulfed multiple structures within the vicinity, causing extensive damage and leaving families displaced.

The fire started at Lot 5 West 1/2 Y Squatting Area; the one-flat wooden and concrete building was owned by Paul (only name given); he reportedly set it alight.

The fire then spread next door and destroyed a one-flat wooden and concrete building, owned by Jane Boston and occupied by six others.

The fire also destroyed a two-storey wooden and concrete building, owned by Beverly Smith and occupied by three others.

At the same address, a one-flat wooden and concrete building, owned by Caro Morgan Snr. and occupied by four others, experienced minor damage to its eastern wall due to radiated heat from the building next door.

“Firefighters diligently worked with three jets that operated from an open water source to extinguish the flames and prevent further spread of the fire. Preliminary investigations into the matter revealed that the fire was maliciously set.

“The perpetrator is reportedly of unsound mind and was apprehended at the scene by the police,” the Fire Service noted.