A family of nine is now homeless, after a devastating fire ripped through their Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home on Sunday evening.
The Lot 8 Carol’s Place, Mocha, EBD property – which housed a business in the lower flat – went up in flames at about 19:00h.
The house was completely gutted
Reports are that the fire started in a bedroom in the upper flat of the two-storey building but it took some time for the family to realise what was transpiring. Owner, Magnel Roberts said she was operating a mobile food truck just opposite the house when her sister sounded an alarm, sending them into a state of panic.
Customers and neighbours came to the family’s rescue but the flames spread within a short span of time and spiralled out of control.
“I was in the mobile working and my sister alert me of the fire upstairs. My father and brother live upstairs and I live downstairs. There were a lot of people around and in the shop area but they didn’t know something was going on upstairs because of the shed. When my sister run out and alerted them, then everybody tried to do something,” Roberts pointed out.
According to her, the Guyana Fire Service was called but it took responders a while to arrive at the scene. Even then, there was a water shortage. The distraught woman pointed out that some of her valuables could have been salvaged.
“They were trying to call the Fire Service but we weren’t getting through. At about 45 minutes after, they came. Then they run out of water. I think a lot of things could’ve been saved but they run out of water. They had to go to the canal next door but everything was already gone.”
To compound her distress, Roberts relayed that her children could not attend school, which they were preparing for on Monday morning.
She has counted her losses in the millions, since only a section of the business remained intact. On Monday when Guyana Times visited, the family was searching through the rubble and clearing out debris.
“It’s millions. I can’t really say. School opened today and the children were preparing yesterday but nobody could [go]. Three supposed to be going out to school. I have three kids but my sister died and left two so it’s five I have. One of them approaching CSEC and the other two are in Grade Two and Four. I can’t say what’s my next move but I’m glad if I could get some help because I don’t have anything,” the fire victim told this publication.
Initial assessments indicate that the fire could have been electrical in nature but the Fire Service is continuing its probe. For those willing to lend assistance, the family can be contacted on 604-0473. (G12)
