Man burns house trying to kill rats

IN AN attempt to rid his house of rats, a Petrotrin retiree made a bonfire in one of the bedrooms. Carl Ramroop, 42 of Mon Desir Road, South Oroupouche, got more than he planned when the fire not only got rid of the rats but burnt his house beyond repair. Cost of the damange was estimated at $400,000. A police report stated that Ramroop saw rats following him into the house around midnight. The report stated that he took pieces of sponge and newspaper, and after setting them ablaze, placed them in a bedroom where he believed the rats were creating havoc with his personal belongings.

According to the report, Ramroop closed the bedroom door and left the house. Around 1.22 am, firemen of Mon Repos Fire Headquarters received a report that the house was on fire, and responded immediately. By the time the fire men arrived, however, the top floor of the house was completely engulfed in flames. The firemen were able to extinguish the fire within minutes, but the entire upper floor of the building was completely destroyed.

The roof was also burnt beyond repair. Ramroop’s cousin-in-law, Angela Pulchan, who lived next door to him, told Newsday that Ramroop was not hurt in the fire but was taken to the Augustus Long Hospital for observation. Recalling the incident, Pulchan said her husband saw a glare coming from one of Ramroop’s windows and it was only then that they realised the house was on fire. Cpl Joseph of the Oropouche Police Station is continuing investigations.