A Mocha Arcadia businesswoman and her son yesterday lost their bottom flat apartment to a fire believed to be of electrical origin.
The fire occurred shortly before midday at Lot 313 First Street, Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara.
Nigel Durant, an eyewitness said that about 11:30 am yesterday, he was riding along the street when he saw smoke emanating from the bottom flat of the house.
“After I see the smoke, I and some other men who were not far from the scene start get bucket and hoses then run to the back. I start hear a set of explosions in the apartment at the back but we still break down the door and start throw water,” Durant said.
He added that the fire was so intense that it quickly spread throughout the bottom flat as persons risked their lives to save some of the appliances, though some were already damaged.
Durant said that the fire service arrived about 45 minutes after the fire started and fire-fighters were able to save the top flat of the house, which was partially scorched.
Grace Forde said that she and son were not home at the time of the fire.
Forde, who was inconsolable, said that she was at her shop, located two corners away from her home, when she received the news of the fire. Forde’s son, Quacy Joseph, said after he was alerted by a friend, he immediately rushed to the scene and learned that the fire started in his room. Joseph estimated their losses to be in the millions.
There was an argument later between Forde and another occupant, who was accused of starting the fire by stealing her power supply.
Meanwhile, Eunice Geraldo thanked the villagers of Mocha for coming together and saving the top flat of the house, which sustained only water and smoke damage.
Geraldo said that about 11:45, she was watching television along with another relative when she heard someone from the back yard shouting “fire!”
“At first I didn’t smell anything or feel the floor hot to know that the downstairs was on fire, it was after the boy raised the alarm then we see smoke coming through the flooring and the curtains them start catching,” Geraldo said.
Geraldo said that only her fridge and curtains were damaged but she was afraid the floor, which was burned from underneath, could collapse.
