Some 30 persons living at Cemetery Road, Lodge are fearful for their safety after an arson attempt early Saturday morning, suspected to be the work of an irate former tenant who wants possession of the property.

Lennox Jacobs who has been living at the Lot N ½ A&B address for a number of years explained that the plot of land has three buildings on it and is divided into apartments which persons have rented. He said that during the 2005 flood, the owner who is only known as Mr King, died leaving the property to no one. Since then, the tenants living in the yard have pooled their resources together and have been paying the rates and taxes.

Following the death of Mr King, a former tenant has come forward claiming to be the man’s son, but according the Jacobs the owner of the property did not have children.

He said the man repeatedly threatened to burn the buildings down and reports have been made to the police.

Recalling, Saturday night’s incident, Jacobs said that his daughter woke him in a frantic state, saying that the blind was ablaze. He said they managed to put out the fire but soon realized that there was fire in an apartment in another building. Jacobs said the Fire Service was called and quick action averted a disaster. He said that by the time the fire engine arrived the blaze had been quelled. The following day, he found a bottle of kerosene and partially burnt pants on a beam of one of the buildings.

Jacobs said he believes the perpetrator(s) doused his blind through a space in his window where a pane is missing before setting it alight. The man said that if the pants had not been damp, the fire could have caused a lot more damage.

The man is calling on the relevant authorities to carry out a full investigation and question the former tenant.