Colours of India boutique, house, mechanic shop gutted by fire

…7 homeless, 3 cars burnt

A fire of unknown origin has left two businesses completely destroyed and seven persons homeless. The late Friday afternoon blaze also destroyed at least three cars belonging to one of the business persons, and damaged several other vehicles at a mechanic shop. Residents reported seeing several vehicles on fire.
Flames were initially seen at around 15:00h on Friday at the popular Colours of India Boutique at Lot D16 Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Seelochanie Latchman, the 52-year-old proprietress of the boutique, said she observed the electrical wire at the eastern side of the building sparking, and then it burst into flames, causing her and her daughter-in-law to take the children and ran out of the yard. Latchman operated the business on the premises, and lived there with her husband, two sons, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
One of her sons operated a mechanic shop attached to the southern side of the building.
Suresh Latchman, also known as ‘Playerz’, a 52-year-old businessman, related that he had left home on Friday at about 08:00h to transact business in Georgetown, and his wife, children and daughter-in-law were at home.
He said that while he was on his way home from Georgetown, he received a telephone call from a friend, informing him that his house was on fire.
He arrived shortly after the call and saw his home in flames.
The Fire Department said an officer and seven other ranks from the Onverwagt Fire Service responded with a fire tender, and upon arrival, they went into action and extinguished the fire. They were assisted by a fire tender from Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).
Investigations are ongoing. (G4)