Members of an extended family of 15 are now seeking refuge at their neighbours after a fire of unknown origin on June 14 destroyed their two-storey wooden-and-concrete house at 169 Eleazar Street, Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown.
The two-storey building which was gutted by the fire on Tuesday
The fire started at around 12:30h. The ceiling of the house was where the fire was first noticed, and fanned by the wind, it quickly engulfed the upper flat. When Guyana Times International arrived on the scene, dazed, incredulous family members were questioning the cause of the fire, since no one was reportedly in the top flat of the building, nor was there any stove or electrical appliance in operation at the time.
According to reports, a few relatives broke the windows to save some household items, but since the fire had already engulfed various parts of the upper flat, they were able to salvage only a few items, including a sofa set, stereo system and some clothing.
Allison Griffith, one of the occupants of the house, related that she and other family members were sitting in the yard when suddenly they saw smoke emanating from the northern side of the building, and upon checking, they realised that the ceiling was on fire.
She said an alarm was raised, and other relatives and neighbours rushed to the scene in an attempt to douse the fire, but it quickly got out of control. Griffith disclosed the Guyana Fire Service was contacted, and their prompt response resulted in the lower flat of the building being somewhat salvaged. She further stated that water used by the fire fighters expectedly also destroyed some of the items on the bottom flat.
Another occupant, Deon Callendar, a cosmetologist, is devastated. She disclosed that all her work tools have been destroyed. She revealed that the family was contemplating going on an outing when they saw smoke, then fire. She explained that neighbours ran with buckets of water, but the bucket brigade proved futile.
Meanwhile, members of the Guyana Relief Council (GRC) were on the ground talking with relatives in an attempt to offer immediate assistance. Speaking with this publication, head of welfare, Rohini Bonar, disclosed that the GRC received information about the fire at about 14:30h and immediately went to the scene, where they offered the affected persons the chance to stay at the shelter, but they have so far refused.
Nevertheless, she noted, the Guyana Relief Council will be delivering mattresses, groceries, clothing and kitchen utensils to the affected family members, in order that they can try to reorganize their lives. Bonar noted that other arrangements will be made to further assist the family.
Charles Callendar, who occupied the lower flat, expressed his gratitude to the Guyana Relief Council for the immediate assistance, and also thanked all those who indicated their willingness to assist the family.
The seaman was not at home when the fire began, but he noted that by the time he arrived on the scene, there was nothing he could have saved from the burning building.
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