Two persons are now homeless after a Saturday evening fire completely destroyed their Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice home.
The occupants of the home, Government part-time worker Kashia Reid and her cousin, had reportedly left on Saturday morning to attend a birthday celebration at West Coast Demerara.
The completely destroyed Berbice house
Residents told this publication that fire was seen in the house at about 19:00h.
One neighbour, who is also a cousin of both victims, Jermaine Lampkin, said he walked past the house shortly before fire was seen in the building but did not notice anything amiss.
Neighbours said the building, located at Lot 42 Semple Street Sheet Anchor, East Canje, was completely destroyed within eight to 10 minutes. Reports are that the fire was first seen in the ceiling, and the entire building was engulfed quickly.
According to one neighbour, the door was open and the padlock was not in place when he went to the scene, leading many to believe that someone might have gained access to the building and left shortly before the fire.
Divisional Fire Officer Clive Mc Donald has since said that initial investigations revealed that the fire appeared to have been maliciously set.
Meanwhile, Reid told this publication that she was on her way home when she received a telephone call informing her that the house was on fire.
She said that she had been living there for the past eight years. According to the woman, she lost everything she owned, pointing out that her home was equipped with everything except a refrigerator. She said that the house did not have electricity.
Kashia Reid
Reid said she suspects someone went into the building while she and her cousin were away.
“The lock was tampered with and also the gate because the fire fighters said when they reached the gate was already broken and no one broke the gate to go in to help. Me ain’t have nowhere, nowhere fuh stay,” the teenager said in tears.
“We lost our mother in 2019 and onto now we can’t get justice and everything that she died and left for us is being taken away; we don’t have anything. Nothing we ain’t get…”
Reid pointed out that she has two older siblings and also two younger ones. Persons who may want to provide assistance to the teen can contact her on telephone number (592) 693-8818. The Guyana Fire Service has since launched an investigation in collaboration with the Police. (G4)
