At least one person lost her home last evening after a two-storey house went up in flames in La Penitence.
The old, wooden building at Lot 168 Middle Road, La Penitence, was reduced to rubble despite efforts by firefighters to save it. No one was injured in the blaze, which started about 8:40pm.
The house was not powered by electricity and it was suspected that the fire may have been caused by a lit candle.
Operations Officer of the Guyana Fire Service Compton Sparman said the central station received a call around 8:53pm of a fire and when firefighters arrived the entire building was already engulfed in flames.
Two fire stations responded to call—East Ruimveldt and the Central Fire station. Fourteen firemen were at the scene trying to prevent the flames from burning other houses close by.
An occupant of the house, who gave her name as Anne Burnham, said she was inside with someone when the fire started. Burnham is believed to be mentally ill, residents told this publication.
Burnham, 53, said she went downstairs, while her friend “one-foot George” who lived with her, went to the upper flat with a lit candle. She said when she went back up to the second floor, it was on fire and she ran out.
