A Bartica family lost their home yesterday, after an early morning fire quickly ravaged their two-bedroom flat.
The fire, of unknown origin, started around 9:30 am at the back of the Lot 114 9th Street, Third Avenue, Bartica residence, which was shared by siblings Michelle and Neil Garraway and their two children. Neil works in the interior as a truck driver and had left early yesterday morning to return to his job, while Michelle works as a caterer.
The fire destroyed their fully furnished two-bedroom wooden house and while residents attempted to extinguish the flames, the fire raged out of control. However, firefighters who responded promptly, managed to contain it before it could spread further.
A relative yesterday told this newspaper that Michelle learnt of the fire from a neighbour. “A neighbour came and called and ask for the brother but he was not at home and the neighbour said that she saw smoke coming from the brother’s room,” the relative explained.
She noted that a cousin, who was at the home at the time, rushed to the back of the building based on the neighbour’s report. There, he observed the fire spreading through the house, but could not enter the room in which they suspected the fire had begun.
An alarm was raised and the relative said she contacted the fire service, which responded in a timely manner.
Residents who responded, she said, lent their support by trying to contain the blaze but the flames grew out of control.
Nothing was saved from the house the relative said.
As the siblings look to rebuild, the relative indicated that they are willing to accept any form of assistance from the public. Michelle can be contacted on 662-0683.
