Two families were displaced last night after a fire of unknown origin gutted their Charlotte Street, Georgetown homes.
Stabroek News understands that the fire which started around 9.45 pm engulfed the two wooden structures situated at Lot 166 and 167 Charlotte Street between Cummings and Light streets within minutes.
Mark D’Aguiar, 58, owned and occupied the Lot 166 Charlotte Street structure with three other relatives including his 91-year-old mother while June Henry and two others lived in the other house.
No injury was reported.
Members of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded quickly and were challenged with controlling the fire from spreading to nearby buildings, which were under threat. Tension rose after firefighters were faced with a water shortage.
D’Aguiar told Stabroek News that the fire is believed to have started in a bedroom of Henry’s house.
“I saw smoke coming out from the back bedroom so by time we coulda recollect and shout fah them, the fire start engulf and by the house is a lil bit old, it start to catch real fast,” he said.
He said his house is situated about six feet away from Henry’s.
“So obviously when the wind come there, the fire just spread. Her house start to burn from the back come right up to the front before it started catch onto our house,” he noted.
D’Aguiar said by time the fire tender arrived, the fire had already spread to his house.
“The fire service tried to get here as early as possible but by time they reach here, it already (had engulfed the) bedroom and you know where the bedroom is, there is a lot of cloth and everything,” he said.
Meanwhile, a neighbor, Raymond Baird said he was watching television and was about to retire to bed when he heard a commotion. Upon venturing out of the house, he said he noticed the fire. “All I see is just flames nothing else,” Baird said.
He related that he immediately raised an alarm by informing his sister and neighbours. “I glad if the fire can put out because we just do some repairs on the back part,” Baird said.
Another resident, Margaret (only name given) told this newspaper that she heard a sparking sound and initially thought it was fireworks.
“But when I looked out I saw fire and I rushed for my safety,” she said.
The families were unable to save any valuables.
Up to press time last night, firefighters were at the scene to monitor the situation.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
