MALAITA Provincial capital of Auki is still in shock after a man was killed in his own dwelling house after being engulfed by fire, Tuesday afternoon, in a case described by Police as ‘suicide.’
Reports said, the unfortunate incident caught Auki residents and the public by surprise with very little they can do to save the house and the deceased.
With the help of some volunteers, they assisted the survivors and valuable items of the affected family, it was revealed.
Speaking to the Solomon Star this morning, Wednesday, Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Tex Tafoa said, the incident occurred around 5pm where the fire was deliberately lit by the deceased who poured petrol inside which subsequently killed him.
“It’s a suicide case,” he said.
He confirmed the death saying the matter is now a subject of thorough investigation.
He said, based the preliminary inquiry, the deceased who is between the age of 25-35years old had an argument with his aunt over money around 3pm that day.
The victim also damaged some properties of the home.
The deceased who is married with seven children has been living there for some time with his family. The house is family owned.
PCC Tafoa said, he became angry so much so that he bought two gallons of pure petrol from a nearby fuel depot.
Inside the house, he poured petrol around him ordering some of the men inside to move.
The men pleaded with him to stop as he went on to light a plastic with a match.
As soon as the petrol caught fire, the house burst into flame, forcing most of the survivors to escape for their lives.
“Because the deceased poured petrol around him before lighting the plastic with a match, he was caught inside the fire.
“Even if we broke through the wall, we won’t be able to save him because of the intense heat,” PPC Tafoa said.
Because all the police officers and fire officers were still at the office at that time they quickly rushed to the scene all helped to stop the fire from further spreading.
“Auki Police Officers along with the fire officers managed to help put the fire under control to avoid it from spreading to nearby structures.”
Fortunately, PPC Tafoa added, Auki managed to receive a new big fire truck before the April election and it was on standby to help contain the fire.
“If not most of the businesses located close to the house would be caught in fire,” he said.
He said, a fuel depot is also located nearby.
PCC Tafoa said, everyone panicked and tried to stop the fire when it first broke out.
It was five to ten minutes before police received the call.
It took more than an hour before fire officers were able to put the fire out, before police officers moved in to retrieve the charred remains of the deceased body.
The body was transported to Kilu’ufi hospital where it is being kept awaiting for burial.
Photos sent from Auki showed the only the structure of the home was left.
The incident which has shocked the Auki community has left many residents in total grieve.
Many have also expressed their condolences to the affected family and relatives.
By MOFFAT MAMU
