Sixty-four-year-old Oslyn Marcus, known as ‘Oyo’, reportedly of unsound mind and known for wandering in the village of Meten-meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, reportedly set alight his house in the village on Saturday at about 11:00hrs, and steadfastly refused entreaties to vacate the burning building.
According to reports, residents became alarmed after observing smoke emanating from Oyo’s house at Lot 107 Meten-meer-Zorg, and they soon noticed that a section of the building was on fire.
Prompt response from the Guyana Fire Service prevented extensive damage to the property, and the man was taken into Police custody.
But residents contend that the man was released mere hours after his arrest, and smoke was again noticed emanating from the building. Investigations revealed that the man had again set fire to his house.
Alarmed, neighbours again summoned the Fire Service, which again was able to prevent the house from being razed. Oyo was, however, able to evade the Police this time; and up to press time, he could not be found.
One neighbour who desired anonymity revealed that Oyo has for years been acting insanely, and would usually be seen walking around the village talking to himself.
The neighbour disclosed that the man’s premises are currently in a deplorable state, as no weeding has been done there for years.
Expressing fear for the safety of her home if Oyo succeeds in his endeavour to burn down his house, this woman, like other villagers, is calling on the relevant authorities to have Oyo institutionalised for treatment of his condition.
