Step-father sets family ablaze

A massive manhunt has been lunched in Loguatuo, a border town between Liberia and Ivory Coast for a 48-year-old man, who allegedly set his home ablaze, burning one of his four step-children to death and leaving three others, who also got burnt, in critical condition.

One of the victims receiving medication at the Ganta Methodist Hospital

According to the report, the suspect has been in love relationship with the mother of the step-children for over three years, living together. Family sources told The NewDawn Correspondent in Nimba that prior to the accident, the suspect, Arthur Dahnwon, bought gasoline and stored it in the house for over six hours in apparent anticipation of the act.

The accident occurred at about 11pm on Friday, September 26, 2014 while the family was asleep in the same house. Suspect Dahnwon is said to have set the house ablaze with the step-children and their mother, who happens to be his wife, inside.

Eyewitnesses said prior to the accident, the suspect and his wife, Madam Rebecca Dahnwon, have been sleeping in separate rooms with the step-children in different rooms.

The three surviving step-children are currently receiving medication at the Ganta Methodist Hospital in Ganta City. They include 26-year-old baby mother, Linda Luo, Mercy Luo, 23;  12-year-old Batu Meawon, who is said to be in critical condition. The only brother of the siblings, Timothy Meawon, died in the fire.

Villagers have described suspect Arthur Dahnwon as a troublemaker in the town. Residents of Loguatuo are living in fear in the wake of the incident, with some of them fleeing for safety.

Arson or setting homes ablaze is said to be common in Nimba County with report that similar attack took place in Kpatuo Town along the Ganta-Tappita highway  about three months ago, involving a woman with heart or cardiac complication, going on the rampage setting their home ablaze, burning herself and her husband to death.