An abandoned wooden home at mile four on the Western Highway was burnt down this morning and police have detained the man who they believe set the fire. Nearby residents say they saw a man running from the scene and trying to hitch a ride into town, and he was intercepted at the checkpoint. Alden Dawson who lived there until late last year told us what he saw.
Alden Dawson, Witness
"From my house where I lived I looked and I saw smoke and then I came down this side and all I saw was the house under fire."
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
Ok now this is a home you used to live in.
Alden Dawson,
"Yes I used to live in here. The verandah was falling apart, the steps were falling apart, the zinc on the top was bad, rain came in and wet you inside."
Jules Vasquez,
At the time of its being burnt up, no one was living in there?
Alden Dawson,
"No one was living in there. I guess it could be that someone set it on fire."
Jules Vasquez,
Anyone was looking around the house or so that you know about? Sometimes you have drug users who like to go into those abandoned houses.
Alden Dawson,
"No I know of no one, I didn't see no one in it already yet."
The man who was detained has not been charged, and will be held until Monday. No motive is known. The structure was not insured, and owner Tony Leslie says he values it at $10,000.
