Point Fortin arsonist on the run

A hunt has been launched for a woman who police suspect burnt down a house on Sunday and a clothing store Monday in the borough of Point Fortin.

Police said she is homeless, mentally challenged and has gone into hiding.

On both occasions, eyewitnesses saw the woman running from the scene of the fire.

Police said she also tried to burn down another store, also on Monday night, but was seen and ran away.

The first fire occurred on Sunday at Handel Street, Mahaica. The house, police said, was abandoned but was the childhood home of former Point Fortin Borough Council alderman Leslie Chang Fong. He had planned to demolish and rebuild it.

A police report said the second fire was at the Fashion TT clothing store at Market Street, Point Fortin.

The owner, Vidya Hamatee-Lalyee, locked up and left that evening, and at about 8.30 pm people living nearby heard an explosion and saw the place on fire.

Residents contacted firemen from the Point Fortin station. Firemen from the Atlantic Lng and Point Fortin Fire Station also responded. But by the time firemen arrived at the store, the two-story building was destroyed.

MP for the area Kennnedy Richards Jr said the store was a loss to the community as it had been provided clothing, including school uniforms, for years.

He commended firemen, saying they tried their best to try to save the store but the fire spread rapidly. He said police are working to find the suspect.