Lae city on fire

THE Brian Bell shop in Lae was gutted by fire last night. The cause of the fire was not known. It comes on the back of another fire that gutted properties of two business houses about a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile  bystanders and others who have went to witnessed the fire alleged police involvement in the massive looting of electronic and hardware goods from the buildings.

Millions of kina worth of goods including gensets, PA systems, refrigerators, stereos, television sets and hardware goods including roofing irons were looted from the buildings including some fully loaded 40ft containers outside.

Many said instead of keeping looters away from the scene, a police Task Force unit was reportedly parked next to the looters’ access and was loaded to the brim with goods seized from the opportunists. 

Frustrated and angered residents said many people have been severely manhandled and threatened by certain police officers using high powered rifles and got away with away with most of the goodies.

This newsroom also identified a lot of police vehicles fully loaded with goods and driven around the city last night but the question on where the goods are now being kept and for what purposes remains to be answered by Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Commander Ivan Lakatani.