Fire Service investigators have determined that the Mon Repos North, East Coast Demerara fire, in which seven-year-old Shaniya Persaud received burns that led to her death, was an act of arson.
This was confirmed by Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who informed Stabroek News yesterday that the investigation was concluded by the Guyana Fire Service and referred to the police.
The police are now tasked with finding the perpetrator/s and to determine for what reason/purpose the act was committed.
Persaud, a student of the Mon Repos Primary School, sustained second and third degrees burns to 97% of her body in the fire, which started around 1 am on August 5th at her house at Lot 101 Mon Repos North.
At the time of the fire, Persaud and her brothers, Akeem Persaud, 9, and Brandon Anthony, 13, had been left home alone as their mother, Samantha Gayadin, was attending a wedding in the community.
Persaud succumbed to her injuries on September 8th, a day after non-governmental organisation Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) had announced that doctors had given her a poor chance of recovery.
SHEA had disclosed that one of Persaud’s legs, a few of her fingers and a section of one of her ears were amputated on the evening of September 6th.
The NGO had said that despite doctors’ “incredible” efforts, Persaud’s wounds were not healing.
Persaud was taken overseas by SHEA for treatment after local doctors declared that not much could be done for her here.
Due to the severity of her burns, she was transported via an air ambulance.
She was accepted to the Texas-based hospital, where she was being treated free of cost.
Her remains will be flown back to Guyana tomorrow for a funeral service.
Upon her return here, her body will be taken to Sandy’s Funeral Home in Georgetown and funeral arrangements will then be made by her family.
