Man burns to death on birthday

A 73-YEAR-OLD man, who decided to treat himself to a special meal on the occasion of his birthday on Friday, was burnt to death when the stove reportedly caught fire.

Dead is Osmond Phillip, of Guapo Road, Fyzabad. The tragedy occurred around 9.45 pm when Phillip attempted to warm a meal of gound provision and salted fish on a stove at his home where he lived alone.
Neighbours heard a loud explosion then saw Phillip’s small wooden house engulfed in flames. According to police reports, Phillip was visited by his sister Esterly Phillip, who gave him the food on Friday evening. Phillip placed a bowl containing the food on the stove. Investigators suspect he apparently turned the knob on the gas and forgot he had done so. Sometime later, police suspect, he may have remembered and tried to light the stove which resulted in an explosion. Phillip’s closest neighbour, Rajendaye Boodoo, heard the noise and alerted others. The report stated that neighbours tried to put out the blaze but the fire quickly engulfed thehouse. Phillip’s body was discovered in the bathroom.