After the fire the Beterverwagting community should come together again to give Aunt Charlotte a house

Dear Editor,

As I sat in my home I saw on the Eyewitness News update on Channel 67 a rebroadcast of a story about a house that was destroyed by fire. The fire occurred on Friday, October 26, 2012, at a house located at 145 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. Its occupants included an 82-year-old bed-ridden grandmother whose call name is ‘Aunt Charlotte.‘

It was reported that her great-nephew was in the area when he heard her cries, and that he immediately braved the intense heat of the fire to save his great aunt.  Fortunately, he was able to save her without injury.

I observed how the community came together by using a bucket brigade to contain the fire and protect the nearby home by dousing it with water. I was moved to tears as I heard the weeping of Aunt Charlotte and her grandchildren begging her not to cry.  She enquired of God, “Why?”

I am glad to note that the residents of Beterverwagting who were part of the bucket brigade were successful in containing the fire before the fire service truck from Georgetown arrived.

Some frustrations were vented about the clogged trenches that didn’t have enough water, and the fire tender from GuySuCo which malfunctioned on the scene. However, I would like to salute every brave citizen of the Beterverwagting community who assisted fellow villagers in their time of need.

I would also like to challenge the community to come together once again to give Aunt Charlotte and her grandchildren a rebuilt house by Christmas of this year.  Resources can be sourced from nearby lumber yards, businessmen in the community and other public spirited citizens.
Yours faithfully,
F McQueen