An abandoned house at Bartica Arcade, Essequibo River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was on Sunday afternoon destroyed after a mattress reportedly caught fire.
A Venezuelan woman, who had taken up residence in the structure, has since been arrested and is in Police custody after reportedly shouting that it was an ‘accident’.
Information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) disclosed that the wooden house was owned by 68-year-old Alfred Wyatt. It was abandoned and frequented by vagrants.
The abandoned structure which was occupied by the Venezuelan woman
The fire reportedly started at about 17:30h, destroying the building that measured approximately 20 feet by 15 feet. It consisted of one bedroom and was mounted on three-foot concrete pillars.
Seeyone Lindore, a 45-year-old businessman, told investigators that he was at the Arcade when he observed smoke emanating from the said building. He then observed Carmen Cristina Ruiz, a Venezuelan national, running out of the yard whilst uttering, “it was an accident”.
Lindore raised an alarm and contacted the Police, who immediately responded to the scene, as did the Guyana Fire Service with one water tender and a water bowser.
Firefighters went into action and extinguished the fire. However, by that time, the building was completely destroyed.
Ruiz, who was occupying the building, was contacted by the Police and questioned. She alleged that one hour prior to the fire, she left Bartica Arcade and went to a Chinese supermarket to purchase groceries, and on her return to the house, she observed the mattress on fire.
The woman said she attempted to pull the mattress out of the house but was unable to do so as the fire quickly spread. She then ran to safety. No other buildings were damaged.
The house was not fitted with electricity, nor was it insured. The cost of damages is unknown. Ruiz is presently in custody, assisting with the investigation.
