A young woman burned to death yesterday morning after a fire of unknown origin engulfed her Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara home, where she was trapped in her room.
The charred remains of Krystle Chung, 26, of Lot 8 Public Road, Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, were found in her bedroom after firefighters eventually put out the fire. The Guyana Fire Service and its firefighters were credited with doing their best.
It is believed that the fire started in the now dead woman’s bedroom. Other members of her family were also at home when the fire started and some escaped with minor injuries.
A Guyana Police Force report stated that the fire started sometime around 5 am in the two-storey wooden and concrete house, which was well secured with grillwork on the windows and doors.
The report explained that the father of the deceased was awakened by the smell of smoke after which he made checks and observed that the entire house was filled with thick smoke.
As a result, he alerted other family members, who managed to escape using an inner stairway leading to the bottom flat of the home.
However, Chung was trapped in her bedroom and later perished in the fire.
Navendra Jagir, a neighbour of the deceased, told this newspaper that persons attempted to rescue the woman but were hindered by the flames of the fire, which spread quickly through the house.
When Stabroek News arrived at the scene, onlookers were standing by as firefighters continued to hose the structure. Shortly after, the charred remains of the young woman were taken from a front section of the home. The body was found burnt beyond recognition.
The bereaved family members who stood around comforting each other were too traumatised to speak.
Chung served as a supervisor at Massy Motors Guyana Ltd and was described as a kind individual.
Many friends and relatives of the deceased woman offered their condolences and encouragement to Chung’s family members on Facebook. One of them posted: “I didn’t just lose a best friend today. I lost a sister, a confidant. Everyone knows how much I loved you and how close we were. We kept saying we have to meet up after this whole COVID shenanigans, but we shouldn’t have waited. I wish I could remember the last time I hugged you. You meant so much to me. You gave me the best advice about life and experiences. You had a bright future ahead of you. I only pray now that you find peace, heaven gained an angel today. And I pray your family and loved ones find the strength they need, love you Krissy. You didn’t deserve any of what happened. Rest in peace my love.”
Chung was a University of Guyana graduate (class of 2018) and a past student of St. Joseph High School (class of 2011).
