Mahaica man loses three vehicles to arson in one month

Apr 29, 2009 News

Over the past month Imran Hoosain has lost three vehicles to fires, believed to be the work of an arsonist, but he remains baffled as to who is the culprit.

Hoosain examines the vehicle that was torched on Phagwah Day.

Early yesterday morning, Hoosain was forced to put out fires that destroyed his minibus and his Nissan motorcar, which were both parked under his Lot 17 Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara house.
However, by that time both vehicles had sustained significant damage almost beyond repairs and to make maters worse, the bottom of Hoosain’s house was badly scorched.
Yesterday morning’s blaze came on the heels of the Phagwah Day destruction of another of his vehicles, which was parked at his mechanic a stone’s throw from his house.
Although the police are investigating both incidents, no one has a clue with regards to who the perpetrators are.
“I don’t have enemies and I don’t have problems with anyone,” Hoosain told this newspaper yesterday.
He recalled that he had retired to bed around midnight after servicing and securing his minibus.
Around 02:00 hours, Hoosain, who lives with his wife and child, was awakened by a crackling sound and upon peering through his window, saw thick smoke coming from the bottom of his two flat house.
Hoosain, who operates his minibus on the Georgetown/Mahaica route, raised an alarm and with the help of neighbours, began dousing the flames which had engulfed the bus and a Nissan motor car.

The two vehicles that were set on fire yesterday.

He said that he did not see anyone leaving his yard nor did he hear the breaking of the windows of his vehicles.
“Is either one of two things. Somebody wants to see me dead or they don’t want me to have anything,” he said.
The police were called but because of the damage to the vehicles they could not lift any fingerprints. But they did find, in the vehicles, two plastic bottles which they suspect contained a flammable liquid.
Hoosain said that he cannot think of a suspect at the moment.
“Right now I am puzzled. I never even got into a fight. Me and nobody ain’t got problems,” Hoosain said.
He told this newspaper that he had purchased the minibus two years ago and had already paid for it in full, while his car was purchased following the destruction of the previous one which was burnt on Phagwah Day.
“Right now I can’t work and no money to repair my vehicles but thank God that my house was saved,” he said.
He estimated his total losses at a whopping $4.4M and lamented the lack of justice he is getting from the police who are investigating the matter.