Fire leaves Essequibo couple homeless

A fire suspected to be electrical in origin destroyed the home of Farouk Khan at Maria’s Lodge Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast on Saturday, while he was out with his wife.
Based on reports received, Khan operates a trucking service, and was at the Charity Stelling when he received information that his house was on fire.
His son Javid Khan, who lives two houses away from the destroyed house, reportedly saw smoke emanating from his parents’ home and rushed to the scene. He had to break the locks to the door in order to access the home. His intention was to salvage household items, but the entire upper flat of the home was already engulfed in flames.
The Guyana Fire Service were summoned, but by the time they arrived on scene, the house was already destroyed.
The elderly Khan told Guyana Times that all his children have moved out of the home, and it is now occupied by only his wife and him. He disclosed that he had taken all his savings to build a home in which he and his wife could be comfortable, and he estimated his losses to be in the millions.
As of now, he is expected to seek refuge at one of his sons’ home.
According to the Guyana Fire Service, the fire was electrical in origin. The power company has only recently changed the cycle from 50 to 60, and residents have since been complaining of experiencing electrical problems.