Essequibo family loses home after New Year’s Day fire

A fire of unknown origin has destroyed the home of an Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) family.
Reports are the fire at Second Street, Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast started about 19:30h on New Year’s Day. The couple who live in the house were not at home at the time of the blaze.

Reports are neighbours saw flames coming from the house and called the Fire Service, which is located at Anna Regina. A resident told Guyana Times that when the call was placed to the fire service, they were told that there was no driver available to take the fire tender to the location. It took the fire service 30 minutes to arrive at the scene which is one village away. However, this newspaper was told by that time the house was completely destroyed.
Residents in an effort to render assistance formed a bucket brigade to save the house that was in close proximity to the blaze.
When this publication visited the scene, residents were very critical of the Guyana Fire Service’s response. One neighbour told this publication that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) personnel arrived on the scene in quick time and disconnected the electricity.
This publication was unable to speak with the couple who lived in the home, but neighbours said that the house was completely furnished.
The Guyana Fire Service has since launched an investigation.