Gulf family loses home to fire

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A FAMILY from Orokolo, Gulf, fled their home in Sabama, Port Moresby, yesterday after relatives of a deceased man allegedly attacked them and set their house on fire.
Eyewitnesses said the relatives of the deceased, also from Gulf, set the house on fire after a teenage son of the family allegedly hit the deceased with an iron rod, resulting in his death.
The deceased had reportedly taken market goods from the suspect’s family but never paid for them.
Neighbours said that had angered the suspect who approached the victim and argued with him and repeatedly beat him with the rod at around 4pm on Saturday.
The deceased, aged between 45 and 50, was taken to the Port Moresby General Hospital but died later.
The suspect fled with his family but was reportedly picked up by police yesterday at Gorobe in Badili, Port Moresby.
Badili police went to Sebea Street, where the house was burning and dispersed the mob.
It is not known if arrests were made in line with the arson.
Eyewitnesses said the family lost all their property in the fire. Police are investigating the death and arson.
Attempts to get comments from the police yesterday were unsuccessful.