19-year-old in custody for setting mother-in-law’s house on fire

Nineteen-year-old Treasha James has been arrested for reportedly setting her mother-in-law’s Lot 30 Kingsley Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) house on fire.

Police headquarters said the incident occurred at about 11:00 h on Saturday and that James is of unsound mind. The house, which was a two-storey wooden and concrete structure, belonged to Jean Harte.

Harte told investigators that she was at home when James ran upstairs and said she had lit the mattress in the bedroom on the lower floor.

As a result, Harte ran downstairs, saw smoke, and started disconnecting the gas bottle. Both of them then ran out of the building as the fire quickly spread in the bedroom.

The Fire Service was summoned and, upon arrival, extinguished the fire. However, by this time, the building was gutted. The suspect was cautioned and arrested and is in custody at Weldaad Police Station as the investigation continues.