Within the last 36 hours a total of four fires in Berbice has left untold damages and destruction to properties and 24 persons homeless.
Stabroek News was informed that at Palmyra, a security guard and his family were at home celebrating Diwali when their home caught fire resulting in its complete destruction and loss of family possession. Boodnarine Dhanraj, 52, of Lot 77 Palmyra Village, explained that at 18:30 hrs, he and his family were outdoor lighting diyas when they noticed fire erupting from the upper flat. “Everybody went downstairs, them children were in front playing and I just sit down in the hammock and I hear them holler ‘fire’”, a devastated Dhanraj explained. According to him, he grabbed his granddaughter and immediately rushed out the yard. He said at that time his main focus was ensuring that all of his family members were outside of harm’s way.
“The fire started in the front room upstairs and it run through the house because the front room glass and so pitch out.” Meanwhile, Dhanraj, a career cane harvester for over twenty four years but presently works as a security guard, explained that he worked all his life to build the house to what it was. He said the house was initially a flat concrete structure but he expanded the upper flat to accommodate his growing family. “Is 14 awe, me children them married and so, and me build the upstairs with two rooms. Me work lil bit, lil bit and build it… Fah start over now me ain’t know wah I gon do.”
Meanwhile, over the weekend firefighters in other parts of Berbice were busy battling three separate fires that destroyed five buildings and a car. Divisional Fire Officer, Clive McDonald, said that ten people were left homeless as a result of the three fires. According to him, a fire at Number 50 Village, Corentyne yesterday morning started from a car and then leapt on to two buildings. Stabroek News was told that the fire started around 10.30. The fire then spread quickly to a building, owned by a US citizen and occupied by the car’s owner, Enrique Hintzen and two others. The fire then spread quickly to a second building but with quick response by residents the second fire was controlled. Residents also said that quick response by the Corriverton Fire Service also contributed to extinguishing the blaze.
Meanwhile, at about 8 am, also yesterday, on the West Coast of Berbice, fire fighters responded to a call of fire at Number 8 Village. Marcel Bobb, who resided at the location with his family, reported that his gas stove suddenly burst into flames. Subsequent investigation revealed that the hose [to the gas stove] was ruptured, contributing to a leakage which resulted in the fire that destroyed Bobb’s residence. Meanwhile, on Saturday, seven persons were also left homeless following a fire at Corriverton, Region Six. Stabroek News was told that the fire first started at a house owned by Stacy Johnson, 23, a part-time employee attached to Number 76 Health Centre. Johnson and six other family members occupied the building.
It was reported that a child at the location was playing with a lighter and paper, which sparked a fire that quickly spread to a second building occupied by Beharazade Amin and two other family members. Both buildings were completely destroyed. The fire then spread to a third building occupied by a couple. However, firefighters were able to contain the fire and prevent extensive damage to that building. Meanwhile, it was also reported that after the fire was spotted in the first house, persons were unsure of the contact numbers for the nearest Fire Stations.
The Guyana Fire Service is advising that the telephone numbers for fire stations in Region Six are: New Amsterdam Fire Station – 333 2261 and 333 2262, Rose Hall Town – 322 5707 and 322 5708, and Corriverton – 339 2021. In Region Five, the Onverwagt Fire Station number is – 328 2657 and 328 2658. Additionally, citizens can dial 912 to contact the Fire Service’s headquarters and firefighters attached to the nearest station will be deployed.
