Seventy-five-year-old Lynette Gray, the grandmother of Jermaine Johnson Jnr, the eight-year-old who perished in a fire in Cummings Lodge last month has died of her injuries.
Jermaine Johnson Snr informed Stabroek News yesterday that Gray suffered severe burn injuries to the body and was placed on life support at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC]. She never regained consciousness and passed away on February 12.
Johnson Snr yesterday told Stabroek News that Gray fought for her life but the burns about her body were severe. He explained that the doctors also tried their best to help Gray but unfortunately she was not able to survive.
The tragedy unfolded on January 27, 2023 when an electrical fan overheated and caused a fire at their Lot 873, 3rd Field Cummings Lodge, Georgetown home. Johnson Snr, who was at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri at the time, said that when the fire started, Gray immediately shouted for everyone to get out. But in her attempt to escape the conflagration Gray, Jermaine Jnr and his sister suffered burns about their bodies.
Jermaine Jnr apparently awoke confused and went in search of his sister. He went in and out of the house several times, eventually exiting with severe burn injuries. His sister suffered minor injuries which required 24 hours observation.
Gray was also admitted to hospital in an unconscious state from which she never recovered. According to the Guyana Fire Service, the fire was likely caused by an electrical appliance which overheated and ignited near to combustible materials. The GFS stated that it had taken note of the prevalence of electrical fires and urged citizens to exercise caution and equip their homes with fire suppression tools such as extinguishers.
Johnson Snr also told Stabroek News that as a result of the fire, life has become hard for him. He explained that he is awaiting government’s assistance since he lost all of his possessions in his furnished home.
