Two women perish in Westminster fire

Ventina Smith
Ventina Smith

-mother was trying to rescue bedridden daughter

By Shuntel Glasgow

A  woman died in a fire yesterday morning at Westminster after a failed attempt to rescue her bedridden daughter who also perished.

Police said the fire destroyed the one-storey house of Felis Smith, a 75-year-old of Lot 3834 Plantation #2 Westminster, West Bank Demerara, at about 5 am yesterday. 

According to Chandini Sookraj, she resided at the house with her mother, Felis; her 45-year-old sister Ventina Smith; her 34-year-old brother Vidnauth Sookraj; and her four-year-old daughter Veleta Sookraj.

What was left of the house

Chandini told police that her sister (who was bedridden) and mother occupied one bedroom. Her brother usually sleeps in the living room area and she occupied the other  bedroom with her daughter.

At about 9.30 pm  on Thursday, Chandini said she retired to bed with her daughter, leaving everything intact. At about 5 am yesterday she was awakened by  heat coming from her mother’s bedroom and when she checked, she observed that part of the bedroom was already engulfed in flames.

Chandini immediately grabbed her four-year-old daughter and exited the yard through the main door where she alerted neighbours who came to her assistance and informed the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

Vidnauth Sookraj, the son of Felis and brother of Ventina Smith, told Stabroek News yesterday that, at approximately 6:00 am, he received a call while at his cousin’s home about the fire. Upon arrival at the scene, the house had been destroyed by fire.  He said that his mother provided care for his disabled sister, Ventina. According to Vidnauth, Chandini recounted their mother’s desperate attempt to assist Ventina out of the house before becoming trapped herself in the fire.

Chandini related that after taking her daughter to safety she then turned back to assist her mother and sister but was prevented from doing so by the blazing fire at the door, Vidnauth Sookraj recounted.

The La Grange Fire Service #114 and Eccles Fire Service #18 responded to the call under the command of leading fireman Cameron. The GFS extinguished the blaze but the structure was completely destroyed.

Police and Fire Service ranks processed the scene and found two bodies which were burnt beyond recognition. The remains were escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

As a result of the fire, Vidnauth is now homeless and is forced to sleep in an incomplete structure with tarpaulin.