A 65-year-old man died after a mid-morning fire gutted his Better Hope, East Coast Demerara home yesterday.
According to information reaching Stabroek News, the charred remains of Fazil Ali, who resided at Bissoon Street, South Better Hope, was found by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS). He was home alone at the time.
The police also explained that enquiries disclosed that the deceased was an alcoholic who lived with his common law wife Anita Loaknauth and his grandson, a 15-year- old, Randy Ameer.
Sometime around midday, neighbours noticed the smoke and fire issuing from the man’s wooden house and the GFS was subsequently called. They arrived shortly after and managed to contain the fire but were unable to save the man or the house. All of the family’s valuables, important documents and appliances were lost in the fire.
His body was reportedly found under the debris lying in a north to south position where the door was.
The police also noted that the man was in the habit of threatening to burn his home whenever he was intoxicated and his wife and grandson had left the house earlier in the morning.
While the origin of the fire is currently unknown and the GFS investigators are working to ascertain it, neighbours have related to Stabroek News that it might have been caused by a stove that was left on.
