During the first two days of the year, two fires were recorded at Crabwood Creek in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), including one which is said to be an act of arson.
At about 18:00h on Tuesday, a fire flattened a building situated at Lot 47 Grant 182, Crabwood Creek. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
Fire completely razed one of the houses
Residents say a unit from the Corriverton Fire Service went to the scene. However, while they were sourcing water, the Guyana Sugar Corporation Skeldon Estate sent its fire team and they were able to use water which a resident had stored in two black tanks and prevent the fire from damaging a nearby house.
There are reports that African bees had infested the building and it was also being used for illegal activity.
Meanwhile, on New Year’s Day, residents watched helplessly as a man allegedly set fire to the house he and his family lived in. The man’s three children ages nine, four and 18 months are now homeless.
According to Shaneeza Persaud, her husband Shazam Silvanish had accused her of having an affair with one of his cousins. She explained that Silvanish was very abusive and had not been supporting the family as he should.
The 27-year-old woman told this publication that during the Christmas holidays after the accusations were made, Silvanish called his cousin and informed him of his suspicions. He then allegedly told the cousin to take the woman and her three children.
Shaneeza Persaud and her three children
Persaud said she took her children and went to her husband’s cousin’s home but his aunt took her back to her husband a few days after.
On New Year’s morning, after Persaud invited the cousin for a drink, he sent his wife away again. However, before they left, there was an altercation between Silvansh and his cousin which escalated into a fight.
Persaud told Guyana Times that as they were on their way and she looked back, she saw fire coming from the building and ran back to save her documents but it was too late.
The man, after setting the house on fire, allegedly fled the scene immediately after. The Police have been on the hunt for the suspect.
Meanwhile, Persaud and her children have since been living with her mother, also in Crabwood Creek. The unemployed woman is asking the public to assist her children to be able to go out to school next week. She can be contacted on telephone number 603-9703.
