By Jack Lapauve Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
More than fifty families are homeless tonight after an eviction exercise today (June 14) by National Housing Corporation and National Capital District Police. During the eviction, the hostel was set alight with nearly all tenants’ properties engulfed in the blaze.
According to the residents, NHC officers came with police and used force to move the residents. The residents are now blaming NHC officers for the fire. The property houses nearly 200 families; some are employed in Government agencies, while the rest are with the private sector.
NHC and Police officers were reluctant to talk to EMTV News during the course of fire and eviction.
The Boroko and Waigani Fire Trucks were called in to assist in putting out the blaze, however 80% of the properties belonging to residents were lost. A suspect is in police custody as the course of fire. The identity of the suspect remains undisclosed.
