A Blairmont family of seven is now homeless after their house was destroyed by a fire yesterday which is suspected to have been started by one of the children who was playing with a lighter.
Sunita Ramotar, 22, of Lot 135 Zorgen–Hoop, Number 4 Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, yesterday explain-ed, that she resided at the location with her husband, four children, and sickly father in law, who owns the premises.
According to the woman, after her husband left for work in the morning, she got herself ready and proceeded to the clinic at Rosignol with her three-month-old baby leaving her three older children ages 5, 3, and 2 at home with her father in law.
However, about thirty minutes later the woman was informed by a neighbour that her house was on fire. She rushed home where she saw the flat two-bedroom concrete house completely engulfed in flames.
Her father in law and children had already been evacuated from the burning building by neighbours.
The Guyana Fire Service in a statement yesterday said “One line from Blairmont Estate Land Rover PJJ5939 tank supply was used to extinguish the fire before the arrival of the Fire Service.”
According to Ramotar, after questioning her children she learned that the three-year-old found a lighter in one of the bedrooms and was playing with it when a nearby mattress caught alight.
The GFS’s statement yesterday urged citizens to take the necessary precautions “to avoid these tragedies.”
It added, “Make use of fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. If these items cannot be afforded or sourced, ensure there is a bucket of sand or adequate water within reach in the event of a fire. Keep fire starters out of the reach of children and educate them on the dangers of playing with them. Pay keen attention to children and be aware of your surroundings.”
An emotional Ramotar yesterday told Stabroek News that they are presently staying with a neighbour while they contemplate their next move. She estimated the family’s losses to be over $4M and noted that they would be open to assistance as they now have to rebuild their life from scratch.
The family can be contacted on the telephone number 660-7968.
