An 84-year-old woman was last evening pulled and saved from her burning Beterver-wagting, East Coast Demerara home, which was razed entirely.
After her rescue and her loss, Venus Beveney was resting at her daughter’s home, situated at the front of the same 146 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting property.
Her daughter, Yvonne Beveney, told Stabroek News that she was sitting out front around 5pm when her neighbour alerted her that the back house was on fire.
“I heard the neighbour hollering out ‘fire’ and when I came round… I see my mother house on fire from the back upstairs. The woman said she immediately rushed to the house and with the help of neighbours and other relatives, was able to drag the elderly woman out to safety.
“All I could do now is just run and hustle to get her out the bedroom because the fire was already to the television. I duck by the fire and we pull her out but her weight was so much, so we had to pull her,” she recounted.
The woman explained that her mother is restricted to a wheelchair and at the time was resting in her bedroom, unaware of the fire in the living room. Relatives said that it is believed the fire was of electrical origin but said the woman never left on any appliances. However, her grandchildren would often visit and use her television and other electronics.
The house was described as a family property and though standing there for several years, constant repairs were done. “Up to two weeks ago that house was repaired. We put in a veranda and shed so she can sit in her wheelchair and enjoy watching her grandchildren play and so,” Yvonne said.
Asked for an estimate of losses, the woman said she would be unable to provide that at the time.
When Stabroek News arrived on the scene, the entire building was already burnt to the ground and only the staircase leading to where the fire started was standing. It was described as a two-story, wooden structure.
The elderly woman, who was the lone occupant of the home, will now be staying with her daughter.
