Suspected arsonist told, ‘surrender’

Anisha, a Standard One student of the Carapichaima Roman Catholic Primary School, perished when the home of her older sister Giselle Lochan, 24, at East Bayshore, Marabella was burnt to the ground.

The aspiring young model and her siblings had left their home in Freeport to spend the Divali weekend with Lochan. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the fire began at the front of an unoccupied house next door and quickly spread to Lochan’s home.

Neighbours claimed to have seen a man set fire to curtains in the house after an altercation with persons, “from the other side” of Bayshore.

The relative told Newsday yesterday, “He is now in hiding but we are begging him to give up himself because everybody pointing fingers in his direction.” It was the second fire for the week in Bayshore and it is believed that he is responsible for both, the relative said.

The arson suspect had moved into the house last week Monday hours after another fire in the community that destroyed the home of Marilyn Matthews, 60.

Her house was under renovation.

The same suspect had been staying in that said house.

An autopsy is expected to be performed today at the Forensic Science Centre, St James to confirm the cause of Anisha’s death.

Her charred remains were removed from among the burnt ruins by fire fighters of the Mon Repos Fire Headquarters, San Fernando.

Autopsies are also expected to be performed today on weekend murder victims Harrynarine “Broko” Bansee, 45, of Lower Couva Road, Preysal, who was fatally stabbed in the face and neck with a garden fork, and Mohandass Ramasir, 62, of Balisier Avenue, Pleasantville who was shot and killed while at a bar on Cipero Road, San Fernando.

A 61-year-old CEPEP labourer remains in custody in connection with the murder of Bansee while two men of Golconda have been held and are now assisting police with their investigations into Ramasir’s killing.

Investigations are continuing.