Corentyne fisherman loses home to fire

Shivnarine Ayana

A fire of unknown origin that occurred at 01:30h on Wednesday has completely destroyed the two-storey home of Shivnarine Ayana, called Sashi, a Corentyne fisherman who was out plying his trade at the time of the disaster.
The 47-year-old fisherman, who was the sole occupant of the house at John’s, Port Mourant, has said he left home just before midnight to go into the backdam to fish, but experienced a puncture to one of the wheels of his bicycle, and was forced to return home before he had reached his destination. He said that as he reached within vicinity of his house, he noticed the building on fire. Ayana said he had lived there for more than 20 years.
After he raised an alarm, one unit from the Rose Hall Fire Department responded, along with one from the Albion Sugar Estate, but by the time they arrived, the building was already engulfed.

The fisherman walking through the debris following the fire

Shavine Rampersaud, a neighbour, explained that she realised that Ayana’s building was on fire when she looked at her camera. She said she likewise raised an alarm, but neighbours were unable to put out the fire.
According to her, no one knew the number for the Rose Hall Fire Service, and so they called Georgetown, but it was difficult to give the location to the person taking the call. However, after making a few more calls, she was able to get a number to contact the Rose Hall Town Fire Station.
The Fire Service has since said nothing could have been done to save the building. When Fire Officers arrived on scene, they had to concentrate their efforts on preventing the fire from spreading to other buildings.
An investigation has since been launched. (G4)