‘Mark, your house is on fire’ – owner recalls devastating news of home ablaze

…4 homeless

A devastating fire on Friday morning reduced a two-story home at Lot F, Grove Market Street, East Bank Demerara (EBD) to ashes, leaving a family of four homeless and grappling with unimaginable loss.
What began as a normal day for the family turned into a nightmare as their home, built and cherished for 15 years, was reduced to ash in a sudden, devastating fire.
The blaze, which started on the upper floor, quickly consumed the entire structure, destroying everything inside.
Mark Bacchus, the owner of the building, told this publication that he lived at the house with his wife Cynthia Bacchus, and his two children. He said that he was at work when he received the devastating news.
“I got a call from my neighbour, and he said, ‘Mark, your house is on fire.’ I thought it was a joke at first,” he recalled. “But then his tone changed… I knew it was real.”
Moments later, his brother confirmed the worst.
Racing home from the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), Mark said he was flooded with more calls.
One neighbour even switched to a video call. “I saw the whole top engulfed in flames. I just couldn’t believe it,” he said.
By the time he arrived, it was too late. Everything was gone—furniture, clothing, cherished memories, and essentials for his two children, ages 9 and 12.
“The only thing we managed to save was a few dishes from the kitchen. Everything else—burned to the ground.”

The family’s losses are estimated in the millions, and even more heartbreaking is that the house was not insured. Mark described the pain of seeing his children’s future possessions reduced to ashes.
“All the electrical stuff for the kids—just gone. My nine-year-old daughter came home and when she saw the fire she had to be rushed to the hospital for oxygen. She is OK, now,” he said.
Mark said his wife and their two children are now without a place to stay, and they are unsure of how they can rebuild their lives.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to do,” he said. “We’re just sitting here thinking… where do we go from here?”
The cause of the fire remains unclear, but Mark said that initial investigations suggest it may have been caused by something left plugged in, despite the family’s usual precautions.
“We normally take out everything and shut off to save on electricity costs,” he explained.
For Mark, who works in sales at Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL), the loss is overwhelming.
“It’s hard to process. You never think this will happen to you. I never thought in my life that would have received a call like this.”
Despite the devastation, no injuries were reported, and the family is hopeful for support during this challenging time.
Investigations are ongoing.