Less than 24 hours after a fire ravaged a building with 12 apartments on Laing Avenue, residents were further unnerved when another home went up in flames yesterday afternoon.

The origin of the fire which completely destroyed a shack behind Lot 162 is unknown and just before this another shack about three feet away suffered some interior damage after a lighted cigarette fell on a mattress.

As a result of these two fires five persons are now homeless.

When Stabroek News arrived at the scene the flames had already been extinguished and residents were gathered voicing their disbelief at the incident.

Reports are that around 1:15 pm, residents noticed fire coming from a house belonging to Wayne Phillips. They quickly formed a bucket brigade and the fire department was called. The fire was extinguished shortly after leaving blackened rubble behind.

This newspaper was told that everything was burnt up including the television and other prized possessions. At the time of the blaze, Williams was at work. It is unclear what caused the fire. Up to the time that this newspaper left the area he had not returned from work. Stabroek News was told that he was aware of the tragedy.

About an hour and a half before that, in a shack a few metres away, a lighted cigarette fell accidentally fell on a mattress. Residents quickly quelled the flames and although the damage was confined to the bed, the shack cannot be used because it is water soaked. Four persons including an infant, Stabroek News understands, occupied this home.

One resident told this newspaper that when they saw flames in Williams’ home they quickly started throwing water. She said that this is the first fire in that part of Laing Avenue.

The resident said that the incident looks strange.