The charred remains of a man were found lying on a mattress in his gutted Kissing Rocks, Mabaruma Settlement, Region One home yesterday morning and there are suspicions that foul play was involved.
The remains of Albert Ashby who is said to be in his late 40s are at the Mabaruma Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination as police in the area continue investigations into the incident. Ashby was burnt beyond recognition.
Stabroek News was told that police were informed of a blaze at the home where the man lived alone but ranks could do little as there was no way to extinguish the fire. The area has no fire engine.
Ranks returned to the scene yesterday morning and reportedly found the man lying on a mattress.
This newspaper understands that Ashby had been at the centre of a bitter dispute over the land he was residing on. Ashby was the owner of the land.
A resident who did not want to be identified said that the position in which the body was found is suspicious. He said that many residents are puzzled about the origin of the fire. The area has no electricity but according to the resident Ashby who suffered a disability, was not an alcoholic. He said that the man has been residing in the area for years and even if his lantern was accidentally knocked down, he would have tried to escape not lie on his mattress.
“It look like kinda foul play to me. It looking suspicious”, he said.
This newspaper was told that the man on Monday collected public assistance for his disability. He also sold fruits and ‘pointer’ brooms to earn an extra dollar.
“He was a poor chap and he was willing to work and help himself out”, the resident said.
Meanwhile, this newspaper was told by another resident that the man’s parents are dead and his other relatives live outside of the area.
