A family is bewildered as to how their home at Lot 496 10th Street Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara went up in flames on Monday night, destroying everything that they owned and leaving them with only the clothes on their backs.
The fire rendered Federal Management Systems,
Manager Mark Wilson, his wife Mazela Wilson and their two children 5 year old Jayden and 2-year old Janae Wilson homeless and with millions in losses.
According to Wilson, on the night of the incident he took ill with chest pains and an irregular heart beat and was rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where he was treated.
Not satisfied with how he was feeling, he subsequently went to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he was admitted and taken in for observation.
He said that while under observation by the doctor the devastating news about the fire was delivered to him and he asked for his discharge which was granted. He added that he arrived at the scene sometime around 12:30am and the house was already gutted and they were unable to save anything. The family said that there was no faulty wiring or anything that could have started a fire in their absence.
He said ”I’m not so sad about losing the materials things but I’m really sad that I lost everything of sentimental value to me”.
When Stabroek News visited the scene yesterday neighbours were reluctant to speak on how the fire started. Officials from the Guyana Relief Council (GRC) were there assessing the damage and offered assistance in the form of household items or the option to choose building materials.
Wilson said that they are now contemplating their next move and he suspects the fire to be the act of an arsonist. He said that he bought a car sometime last year which was set alight twice in two days by someone in the neighbourhood and they reported it to the Enmore Police Outpost.
He added that because of his profession he is at times required to work in the evenings but as a result of the previous incident with his vehicle he would stay at home since he is concerned over the family’s safety.
For now the family will be staying at a relative’s home and is contemplating their next move.
