A wooden building at Determa Street, Mackenzie, Linden was early yesterday morning gutted by fire of unknown origin leaving four persons homeless and millions of dollars in losses.
According to residents no one was home at the time the blaze was first spotted. They said that recently the area has been hit by a series of electricity outages and work was being done in Determa Street to correct the problem.
According to a resident who opted not to have his name published, the Linden Fire Station responded promptly with two fire engines but was hampered by the fact that there were no hydrants in the area from which they could access water.
The resident said that while attempting to leave the scene to get more water, the fire engine collided with a parked minibus not far away. The fire-fighters from the Linden Fire Station received assistance from a Bosai water tanker.
According to the resident the fire service must be commended for responding promptly and for working to contain the blaze so as to save nearby buildings which had been recently constructed on Silverbali Street which runs parallel to Determa Street.
A car which was parked beneath the burning house was slightly damaged by the flames, residents said.
Fire service officials have since launched an investigation.
