Paradip, June 17: A 28-year-old mentally unstable man set fire to four houses, including his own, causing extensive damage at a village in Jagatsinghpur district.

The accused, Bidhan Samal, set the houses on fire at Dhanuharabelari village within the limits of Balikuda police station yesterday evening.

Samal has fled from his village, said Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police Satyabrata Bhoi.

The local police are investigating into the matter. The mentally unstable accused was also in inebriated state when he indulged in the deadly act of nuisance, he said.

Psychiatric experts are of the view that it’s a rare case of mental sickness.