6 homeless after fire razes West Berbice home

A fire suspected to be arson has left six persons homeless at D’Edward, West Coast Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The fire is said to have started after 22:00h at Lot 4 Section A, D’ Edward Village. The two-storey house was flattened within minutes, leaving Takurpersaud Sirjoo, 54; his wife, Pulmattie Hunt; their daughter, Renita Devi Sookdeo and her three children homeless. Their losses have been estimated at million plus million in jewellery.

According to Hunt, the family was asleep when the fire started. Speaking with this newspaper on Wednesday, Hunt related that the family retired to bed about 21:20h, but she was awakened by heat coming from a lower flat of the house.
“It look like someone set the fire on the wall and when we get up we smelling gasoline. Like they spray the whole house with the gasoline, because the house catch afire quick,” she said.
This newspaper was told that the Guyana Fire Service’s response was quick, but despite the firemen’s assiduous efforts, they were unable to save the building.
According to Hunt, a relative had threatened to burn the house following a family dispute, and they have since related that information to the Police. She said up to Tuesday evening, the relative was at the house threatening the family. According to her, she recorded the threats on her phone.
Meanwhile, hours after the fire, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal and Vice Chairman Rian Pieters visited the family and extended their support.
According to the Chairman, immediate attention will be placed on ensuring that the two who are of school age will be able to attend school without much delay.
Ramphal also called for corporate support for the family. The Guyana Fire Service is investigating the fire. (Andrew Carmichael)