A fire of an unknown origin on Tuesday destroyed a wooden house at Jasmin Lane, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown.
The fire started in the upper flat of the house sometime around 1 pm and the building, which housed a couple and their three children, was engulfed in a matter of minutes.
A neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, told this newspaper that she was at home with a friend when the fire started.
The woman said that it was her friend who first smelt something burning and shortly after heard a call from her neighbour whose home was on fire. Upon checking she said that she saw thick black smoke coming from the house and recalled seeing her neighbour and one child in the yard.
The woman said she immediately asked about the other two children as she was fearful that they might still be in the house. However, she noticed that the woman’s partner had grabbed the children and they quickly exited the yard.
According to the woman, fire tenders responded swiftly but were unable to do much since the house was consumed by the flames so quickly. The firefighters however began focussing their attention on the neighbouring building as saving the burning house was no longer an option
It was reported that the tenants occupied the top section of the home while a storage room was located downstairs. They had been living in the house for approximately two years.
Another neighbour in a brief comment stated that he was cleaning his bridge when he saw the fire.
The man noted that while the tenant of the home attempted to put out the fire, nothing was saved. He too said the house went up in flames in a short space of time.
