Libra and Gemini proprietor rescued from home fire

Chandradei Mangra after the fire
Chandradei Mangra after the fire

The 79-year-old proprietor of the Libra and Gemini Carpet establishment of D’Urban and George streets this morning had to be dramatically rescued by fire-fighters as she watched television in her soundproof, air-conditioned room unaware that her home was ablaze.

“I am so grateful to them…I could have dead in there because to tell you the truth I didn’t even smell the smoke or hear nothing …I was reading my papers when I heard the bang on the door and it was the firemen come to save me. When they bring me out fire and smoke…” Chandradei Mangra told Stabroek News this morning.

Mangra’s home and the business occupy several lots on D’Urban and George streets.

Chandradei Mangra after the fire
Chandradei Mangra after the fire

Guyana Fire Service Station Operations Officer Compton Sparman who was on the scene when this newspaper arrived said that they first received a call at 10:57 informing of the fire. He said that three tenders responded and began work. The elderly woman was rescued and the fire was contained to the George Street living and dining room quarters of the residence.  He said that the cause of the fire was unknown but firemen were investigating.

The area where the woman believes the fire originated housed an old refrigerator and next to it on a cupboard was a television set that her son uses. In the cupboard there were vehicle lubricants and insecticides among other chemicals.

The property has surveillance cameras and the tape was taken away by the police to assist in the investigation.

The visibly distraught Chandradei explained that she and a 55-year-old paraplegic son Roy Mangra occupied the residence and were the only persons at home when the fire began although they have two helpers. She said that the female helper left about one hour prior to the fire while the male helper was called to the scene shortly after it began.

A man who lives at the back of the Mangras told this newspaper that it was he who first summoned the fire service after seeing the blaze. “I look out from the back and I see this big fire then I hear like a explosion so I run and tell Nessy call the Fire Service because I know is granny and she son alone is be in there…, the man said.

He said that the fire service arrived within seconds after he had hung up causing him to believe that someone else had probably called before him.

The female Mangra who sat in a chair stated that she suffers from a heart ailment and was still somewhat in shock but very grateful to be alive. She said that she receives assistance for the business from a son who resides overseas and she was worried “how he would take it.” She said that she could not estimate her losses and that she did not have insurance coverage for the business.

The Fire Service Station Operations Officer said that the investigation into the cause would take some time.