Police says sorry

By JUNIOR UKAHA
MOROBE police commander Augustine Wampe had apologised to the family members of a detainee who was killed during a police station fire in the province last week.
Wampe described the incident as very unfortunate and a tragedy that should not have happened if police officers were around.
Joe Bund, 40, a father-of-two from Domil village in Banz, Jiwaka, was burnt to death after the Mutzing police station in Markham caught fire at around 2am last Thursday.
No police officers were around when the station and cell caught fire.
Bund was detained for a number of minor offences.
“I have told the relatives of the victim that I am very sorry about what had happened to their family member,” Wampe said.
“It’s an unfortunate incident that should not have happened but somehow it happened.
“The relatives of the deceased came and saw me and wanted to know why police were not there during the fire.
“They also wanted us to take care of costs associated with the funeral and transporting of the body back to Jiwaka.”
Wampe said that when he receives the investigation report into the fire, he would  decide on what cause of action to take to assist the relatives of the deceased.
Wampe said a team of police, PNG Power and Fire Services investigators were on the  ground investigating.