BY BEN BILUA
BUALA police in Isabel Province are conducting a manhunt for a mentally ill young man who allegedly burnt down his family’s home earlier this week.
The incident occurred on Sunday at a village near Kolosori in the Maringe area of Isabel Province.
Reports reaching Island Sun state that the young man set fire to the house following an argument with his mother.
Attempts by the mother and several youths from Kolosori village to extinguish the flames were unsuccessful as the fire quickly engulfed the dwelling.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, community elder, Mr. Reuben Dotho said the incident has caused fear and concern among villagers.
He said the young man became mentally ill last year and had since been involved in several incidents affecting community property and food gardens.
“The first incident happened last year when he damaged our water supply pipeline. Police were called and arrested the boy but he was later released,” Dotho said.
He said the young man allegedly continued to cause trouble in nearby communities by burning down garden huts after being released.
Dotho said Sunday’s incident began after an argument between the mother and her son.
“After the argument, the mother went to sleep in a nearby leaf hut while the boy remained in the family house,” he said.
Dotho said the mother later saw smoke coming from the house. She ran to the house and tried to put out the fire but it was already too strong.
Dotho said the situation became more frightening when the young man allegedly attempted to attack his mother with a machete.
The mother fled to Kolosori village to seek help and returned with several young men, but by the time they arrived the house had already been burnt to the ground.
“The young man escaped while they were trying to put out the fire,” Dotho said.
Police are continuing their search for the suspect.
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