The home of two pensioners was devastated by a fire of unknown origin in East La Penitence on Friday afternoon.
The two-storey concrete home owned by Kenneth Herbert, 69, of Lot 31 “A” Morocot Square, East La Penitence, Georgetown, caught fire sometime around 1 pm. At the time, Herbert, his adopted daughter and grandson were at the property.
Herbert had been asleep and he was awakened by his daughter, who informed him that the house was on fire.
An eyewitness told this newspaper that she was walking on the road when she saw flames emanating from a back room of the house. She explained that she alerted Herbert’s daughter and they raised an alarm.
The eyewitness added that another public-spirited citizen who was on the street at the time rushed to the aid of Herbert to quickly get him out of the house.
This publication was told that it was when the family opened the door to exit the house that the fire intensified.
Neighbours said that although the fire service responded in a timely manner, the house was already engulfed by the time they arrived. The family was unable to save any items.
As firefighters battled the flames, neighbours said Herbert’s wife arrived and was in disbelief. The woman reportedly fainted. She had to be consoled by public-spirited persons at the scene.
Stabroek News learnt that it was second tragedy the family has been faced within the last two years. The couple’s son was shot and killed in the street two years ago.
When this publication visited the residence yesterday, it observed that the entire interior of the house was damaged. Neighbours said they were not sure where the family had sought refuge as they left hours after the fire and did not return.
