Essequibo Coast deadly fire: Charred remains of mother, 3-year-old son found near burnt bed

…reputed husband arrested

A 29-year-old woman and her three-year-old son died after a fire destroyed their two-storey wooden home at David James Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Monday morning.
Dead are Donette Albert, a housewife and her son, Keron Latchman.
Police said the fire was reported at about 07:20h on Monday.
Albert had been living at the residence with her 31-year-old common-law partner, and their son. Reports are that the couple had been in a relationship for about four years and moved from Charity Housing Scheme to David James Scheme approximately two years ago.
According to police, Albert’s sister, 31-year-old Tatiana Albert, said she received a telephone call from Donette at about 07:00h on Monday and was told to come immediately.

Tatiana said she hired a taxi and arrived at the residence about 15 minutes later, where she saw the house engulfed in flames.
She also saw her sister’s partner, a welder, standing alone on the access road.
Police said the man told Tatiana that he and Donette had been arguing and that she had threatened to set the house on fire.
He reportedly told her that he went downstairs to brush his teeth and while there, noticed that the house was engulfed in flames. He said he attempted to re-enter the building to rescue Donette and their son but was unable to do so because of the intensity of the fire.
Tatiana reportedly told police that the couple would normally argue over Mahindra’s alleged alcohol addiction and infidelity.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service said that they responded the fire where the two-storey wooden building fully engulfed in flames and were informed that two occupants were trapped inside.
After extinguishing the fire, firefighters searched the building and discovered the charred remains of two persons.
Police said the remains, an adult and a child, were found on a burnt bed inside the house.
The building was destroyed, leaving the roof and burnt debris.
The remains were taken to Charity Hospital, where they were examined by a doctor, before being transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital Mortuary. Post-mortem examinations are pending.
The woman’s common law husband was arrested at the scene and taken to Charity Police Station. Police said that they observed a wound to the right side of his head and he was taken to Charity Hospital, where he was treated and discharged before being returned to police custody.
In a statement to investigators, the man allegedly said he returned home from a birthday party at about 04:30h on Monday and went to bed. He said he awoke around 06:00h to drink water before returning to bed.
He claimed that Donette was doing household chores while their son was playing downstairs.
He alleged that while he was lying on the bed, Donette struck him once on the left side of his head with a roti belna, causing an injury.
He said he subsequently heard Donette calling his mother and sister and asking them to come to the house. He further alleged that she began cursing and threatened to burn down the house.
He told investigators that he went downstairs to brush his teeth and subsequently heard a loud explosion. He said he then noticed that the entire house was on fire.
He claimed that he ran upstairs and opened the north-eastern door in an attempt to rescue Donette and their son, but was unable to enter because the interior was already engulfed in flames.
Police said man’s hands and clothing were swabbed for traces of chemicals and nail clippings were taken. Statements have also been obtained as the investigation continues.