A man suspected to be mentally challenged has set the apartment of his mother and other adjoining ones ablaze in Takoradi in the Western Region.

Reports say the man, who has only been identified as Mawul and in his early 30s, had jokingly indicated that he will burn down his mother’s home. But residents had ignored him thinking he did not mean his words.

But Mawul, to the surprise of many, stood by his words and set fire to his mother’s home, with the fire spreading to other houses.

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Some money and other valuable items were destroyed in the fire.

The suspect had wanted to flee the scene but was caught by some residents who handed him over to the police.

Mawul has since been arrested and detained at the Takoradi Central police station.