A family of three lost its home on Wednesday afternoon when a fire, suspected to be of electrical origin, gutted a house at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara.
The one-storey house, located at Lot 356 Fourth Street, Kaneville, was the home of Lennox Clarke, his wife, Carol Clarke, and their seven-year-old daughter, Nizanna Joseph.
According to Odessa Mitchell, another daughter of the Clarkes, the fire started around 1.30pm, while she was visiting her parents’ home.
The fire is said to have started by the “fuse box” in one of the bedrooms and it quickly spread through the entire three-bedroom structure.
Mitchell said that upon realising there was a fire, she sounded an alarm for help from neighbours. She pointed out that before the house was consumed by the flames, her mother attempted to turn off the main switch but fell and sustained burns on her hand and back. The woman was later taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre to be treated for her injuries.
Mitchell explained that within minutes, the fire spread through the house, which prevented them from saving anything. She noted that the house was furnished with all modern amenities.
Neighbours, who responded to the alarm, formed a bucket brigade and assisted in soaking the other houses on the northern and southern sides of the burning building. Neighbours also assisted in removing a car that was parked in the yard despite the intense heat.
This publication understands that Lennox Clarke, the owner of the vehicle, was determined to remove it as a precautionary measure due to his fear of it catching on fire.
This newspaper was told that when the fire service arrived, the entire house was engulfed by flames. Three fire trucks worked together to put out the fire.
The victims of the fire complained that the emergency crew from the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) responded approximately two hours after the fire. In the interim, it was noted, two persons were almost shocked by the live wire that was disconnected from the burning building.
Although the family is now staying at Mitchell’s residence, public assistance is being welcomed.
Persons desirous of helping the Clarke family can call 266-0790 or 679 8115.
