1 remains in custody as Police probe suspected arson

Cummings Lodge fatal inferno

One person remains in Police custody following a devastating fire at 6th Street Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD), that claimed the lives of three people on Saturday evening. Those who perished in the fire were Beverly Miller, 40, Marvin Lewis, 46, and their 14-year old son, Dawall Ifill.

The person in custody was identified as the grandson of the landlord. He was seen leaving the premises moments before the fire started.
Regional Commander Phillip Azore when contacted on Sunday explained that investigators are still trying to comb through bits of information, to ascertain what actually transpired.

He said he is unable to say at this time if the case would be treated as arson, since investigations are still premature.
“We are still investigating, and the reason we have him [in] custody is for him to answer some questions raised about him. So, we are trying to clarify those issues that were raised. But so far, we have nothing as yet”, he explained.
Meanwhile one of the tenants, Cleon Williams, told Guyana Times that all fingers are being pointed at the man in custody since he was seen leaving the yard just before the fire was sported.
“He went upstairs and then five minutes after he go away, the fire started,” Williams said.
Williams explained that after he realised that his aunt and her family were trapped in the burning apartment, he used different methods to save them but the house was well secured with steel grills.
“I know we tried to save them but we couldn’t, all the grill locked,” Williams said.
Sister to the now dead woman, Desiree Miller, told reporters that the property in which they lived was the source of a dispute between the dead owner’s son, and the man who is currently in Police custody.
She explained that in 2019, she and other relatives after renting the apartments were told that they would have to relocate, since the building was sold by the owner’s son.
Just after, they were informed that there was a change of heart, and that they could stay and pay a reduced rent since the building was no longer on sale.
“Last year, I can’t remember what date this place sell, but right now they got a dispute but they’re saying that everyone must not move, that they coming together to pay back the man who buy the place. So, that is why we in move…” she recalled.
Miller added that the dead owner’s son had sold the property, but it was after other family members started to intervene, he went back to the buyer and asked for a refund of the money.
The woman told the media that her rent was reduced from $46,000 to $40,000 while the rent for others was reduced to $35,000. Those who perished in the fire moved to the apartment in March. As the charred remains were removed from the property, they were found clenched together, as though they were hugging.
Investigations into what caused the fire are ongoing.