A fire suspected to be arson has completely gutted three buildings in Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown, in the wee hours of Friday.
The fire reportedly started at around 01:30h in one of the buildings, which rapidly spread to the others located in the same yard.
Guyana Times understands that the fire started in the lower flat of the Lot 50 Middle Street, Mc Doom, house owned by Yvonne Josiah who resides overseas.
Jermaine Josiah, 40, the woman’s son was the lone occupant of the house at the time of the fire. He was subsequently arrested.
“When I became alerted of the fire, I peeked outside and I see Jermaine just standing on the road looking as the house was being burnt with his hands folded,” a resident told this publication.
Neighbours were alerted and quickly lent assistance to the occupants of the other houses.
One of the other houses was owned by Olivia Welch, who was at home with her children when the disaster struck. Speaking with this publication, the woman’s daughter, Onica Welch, explained:
“We were inside asleep when the neighbours woke us up and tell us that the house was on fire. Our mother just gathered me and my brothers and sisters and we all ran outside.”
The third house was owned by Fanda Smith, who was also asleep when the fire started and was awoken by neighbours.
Residents worked vigorously to douse the flames, however, their efforts proved futile.
The Fire Service was called but according residents four fire tenders went to the location without water.
An investigation has been launched by the Police and Guyana Fire Service.
