A family of five is now homeless after a fire demolished their Front Road, Ruimveldt home on Monday afternoon.
What remained after the devastation
According to residents about 15:30h, smoke was seen emanating from the one-storey building located at Lot 67 Front Road, which alerted public-spirited citizens to summon the Police and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).
When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, several firemen were seen battling the blaze, which had already engulfed the entire building, in their attempts to save nearby wooden structures. Meanwhile, the owners of the home and residents of the area watched in despair as the flames consumed the entire structure, leaving mere rubble.
Malinda Reid, an occupant of the house, told this publication that no one was at home at the time when the fire started. She was leaving work when a caller informed her that her house was on fire.
“I just came off of work and I receive a call that my house burn down. I leave 11 o’clock to go to work and that’s it. There’s nothing more I can say, because I know to myself that I didn’t leave on anything (appliances),” the distraught woman said.
Recollecting her actions before leaving her home, Reid stated that she left to drop her kids to school and later returned home and subsequently left for work. She explained that the fire could not have been electrical in origin since all of her appliances were unplugged and not in use.
“I normally press on Saturdays, so the iron was out. I didn’t put on the TV. I just took my children to school and went over by my aunt. When I finish with her, I just go and put on my clothes and go to work, so it’s not that I leave on anything, so I don’t know what is the cause.”
While counting her losses, she noted that the house was equipped with numerous appliances and valuables, which she would have bought. The family recounted losing television sets, a refrigerator, stove, washing machine, microwave and other important household items.
Reid, her husband, two children and brother had resided on the premises for quite some time and there had not been any such incidents in the past. She later revealed that she had received documents to obtain a house from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and is pleading with the organisation to replace her papers.
Firefighters at the scene managed to control the fire from spreading to the nearby dwellings. However, they were unable to save the house or any furniture. The owners of the house revealed that their losses have been immeasurable since they would have lost almost everything. The woman was in tears when she noted that this tragedy has affected her severely since she no longer has a home.
Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into the matter and the origin of the fire is yet to be determined. (Rupadai Seenaraine)
