The family devastated by a fire on Christmas Eve day that claimed the lives of two people next door on Public Road Kitty is beginning to pick up the pieces even as investigations continue to determine its cause.
The family of matriarch Joylene Aulder, including her son and daughter, made it out of the house moments before it was razed.
Dead as a result of the fire are Cyril Robinson and Alfred Stephens, a bed-ridden 90-year-old pensioner and his 17-year-old great nephew respectively. They both resided in the house next door to the Aulders.
Witnesses said that the fire started in the home of Robinson and then flames leaped to the old wooden building next to it, quickly engulfing it even as those inside made it out. They were unable to save anything from the burning building.
According to Richard Aulder, the son of Joylene Aulder, he visited the Central Fire Station yesterday where he was given letters confirming that the fire took place. He explained that with these letters, the family will be able to start the process of getting back all important documentation such as passports, ID cards, medical cards and other records that were lost in the fire.
While not disclosing the value of the house, Richard Aulder said that he had insurance coverage for it. But he said that the Fire Service is still to determine the cause of the fire.
Stabroek News understands that there was no electricity at the time to the house owned by Robinson and occupied by him and his young relative. The elderly man lived downstairs while the young man lived upstairs, Stabroek News learnt.
According to neighbours the fire started sometime around 0100 hours on Christmas Eve Day.
