A fire completely destroyed the home of a Linden man last night.

Bertram Franklin, owner of the house.

Bertram Franklin, known as `Buddy’, 69, of 668 Block 22 Wismar, Linden said he stepped out for a short visit at a friend in the area when he got word that his house was on fire. He told Stabroek News that he did not have electricity to his home nor did he leave any lit object on when he left.

However, his stove is believed to be the source of the

The remains of Franklin’s house.

fire. As fire-fighters were putting out the fire, a pot was observed sitting on a single kerosene oil stove, which was believed to have been the cause of the fire.

Several neighbours rushed to the scene but were unable to put out the blaze on the 14ft x 16ft flat wooden house. Franklin was one of the first persons to have started squatting in the area some 21 years ago. He said that his female partner who lived with him had walked out of the home some two months ago.

The pot and stove which were believed to be the cause of the fire

Left standing in the yard was a thriving garden of bora vines and other cash crops. This was the source of the man’s income. With his house gone, he said he has no alternative but to take up temporary residence with one of his 18 children.