The Guyana Fire Service came in for high praises on Sunday morning after they prevented a house from being engulfed by flames at Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast.
The blaze reportedly started at about 02:45h in an apartment occupied by the owner’s nephew, Kujeshwar, also called “Naresh” in the lower flat of the building.
Madai Sharma, 76, was at the time on vacation in Georgetown.
The interior of the bottom flat of the house
However, based on information received, the nephew was reportedly preparing a meal on a kerosene stove but left the home to run an errand and upon his return, he saw the lower flat of the 40-year-old house on fire.
One of the man’s uncle, Gowkarran Sharma, who lives next door reportedly saw smoke emanating from the building and raised an alarm. Residents quickly formed a bucket brigade and started to put out the flames. The fire station was summoned and responded promptly.
The house that was saved at Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast
Although the blaze was put out, the apartment in the lower flat of the house was completely destroyed along with its furniture and appliances. These include beds, a microwave, a refrigerator, a gas stove and music system among others.
At the scene, Gowkarran told Guyana Times that he was preparing to observe Maha Shivaratri on Monday when he saw the smoke followed by flames. He noted that it was indeed a miracle that the entire wooden structure did not go up in flames.
Fire officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
