A group of young men suspected to be occultists, have reportedly set ablaze a three bedroom house at Akwabenkrom within the Bia West District of the Western, after they were prevented from performing rites for a departed member of the group.

The 'Atia Group' according to Nana Ama Antwiwaa Aisha on Saturday, demanded the family of their late friend Kwame Antwi, 32, to allow them pay their last respect for the departed member, but were denied the opportunity and sacked from the funeral grounds.

The group in anger reportedly set ablaze the three bedroom facility, vandalized some other rooms; destroying property including electrical and household appliances worth thousands of Ghana cedis.

Nana Ama Antwiwaa Aisha further added, "the group disrupted the funeral ceremony, a situation which saw most of the sympathizers fleeing for their lives."

The deceased died while in hospital after his house collapsed on him and his family following a tidal wave.

The death of the deceased according to the 'Atia Group' was strange, and suspicious, hence their decision to perform the final rites for the departed soul.

Mother of deceased was also accused of killing the son through spiritual means.

Head of family, according to Nana Ama was forced to pour libation to complete the funeral rites as no one wanted to touch the deceased.

The head of family has lodged an official complaint at the police station, calling for the arrest of the group that allegedly set the property on fire.