Deadly Blairmont fire: Burnt cash found in ashes – family says part of over $2.5M to be deposited at bank

Relatives searching through the ruins of the Blairmont, Berbice, home that was destroyed by fire on Tuesday have discovered charred remnants of cash on Wednesday morning.
The burnt currency is believed to be part of more than $2.5 million, which homeowner Looknauth Ramprashad said had been stored inside the house and was due to be deposited at a bank on the day of the fire.
“We had over two and a half million dollars in cash – cash money – what we were supposed to carry to the bank this morning,” Ramprasad had explained following the tragedy on Tuesday.
The fire claimed the life of his wife, Bibi Shafroon Ramprashad, called “Zina”, who was wheelchair-bound and alone at home when the blaze erupted during the early morning hours. The 62-year-old woman was unable to escape.
Ramprasad said the family had postponed a planned trip to the bank the previous day and intended to deposit the money on Tuesday morning.
In addition to the cash, the fire destroyed identification documents, pension records, household appliances and other personal belongings accumulated over decades.

The discovery of the burnt notes adds to the family’s heartbreak as they continue to mourn the loss of Balgobin and come to terms with the destruction of their home.
Based on reports, Ramprashad, 65, was at work when the fire started. He told reporters that he ensured his wife was comfortable before leaving home around 19:00h on Monday.
“I make sure she gets she tea, she biscuit, she food, whatever she want. She can’t move about much because she in a wheelchair, but she does watch television and then go to bed,” the emotional man recalled while speaking with reporters at the scene on Tuesday, adding that he spoke to the woman just before she retired to bed.
“I just call she and ask if everything alright. She said yes; she in bed. I tell she relax, and if anything happen, call me on the phone.”
However, sometime between 04:00h and 04:30h, he received a devastating call from his daughter-in-law, who related that “your house burn down with Mommy inside.”
The man broke down as he recounted returning home to find the building reduced to mere burnt wood. Ramprashad said he and his wife had been together for about 42 years and had worked hard to build the home they shared.
“When I come home, this is it. Nothing more. The children there, but I start crying and thinking, ‘She done gone.’ The neighbours tell me they hear she hollering, but they couldn’t get in because the fire done take over the whole place.”
The couple’s 32-year-old son, Kevon Rampershad, said after receiving the news, he rushed to the house, but by that time, “everything had already gone”, and he only managed to save a car.
According to him, firefighters arrived a few minutes later and battled the blaze for more than an hour before bringing it under control. Rampershad said his mother’s body was discovered in what was once the hall of the home. “It look like she was trying to get out through the side door, but the sofa kind of blocked she.” She didn’t get to reach the door. Right there she remain.”