Pensioner perishes after son allegedly sets home on fire

The burnt remains of a 72-year-old man were removed from the debris of his burnt-out Berbice home after his son allegedly set the house ablaze.
Dead is James Pertam Lachmansingh, of Lot 9 A Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.

Reports are the former rice farmer shared the home with his 20-year-old son.  Guyana Times was told that on Saturday, the son, who is reportedly a known drug addict, started the fire on the veranda and it quickly spread to the kitchen. He left the burning building and stood on the road as the fire spread.
At the time, his father was sitting in the living room watching television. This publication was told that the pensioner suffered from a medical condition, which limited his mobility. As such, he was unable to escape the inferno.
According to an eyewitness, the smoke was initially seen coming from the kitchen area, but by the time neighbours were alerted and rushed to the building, flames had already consumed the door and they could not enter.
Meanwhile, a fire unit from the Onverwagt Fire Station responded quickly. The firemen braved the heat to enter the building, but the pensioner had already perished. The man’s burnt body was found lying on the kitchen floor.
However, they were able to prevent extensive damage to nearby buildings, one of which had already ignited when they arrived.
A close relative who spoke with this newspaper related that the man’s son had developed a habit of beating his father whenever he was denied money to purchase marijuana.
Both the Police and the Guyana Fire Service are investigating the matter.
Lachmansingh leaves to mourn four children, two of whom are overseas, and five siblings, all of whom are overseas. (Andrew Carmichael)