A Linden family of six was left only with the clothes on their backs after a fire destroyed their homes early last evening.
Michael and Celestine Seymour and their four children, aged between eight and 11, were not at home when the fire of unknown origin ravaged through their two bedroom wooden West Watooka Wismar, Linden home.
At the time, the four children were in the safe keeping of a relative as they awaited their parents return home.
Michael and Celestine had left home early in the morning to take care of business and work, respectively. Michael said that he was at Mackenzie around 6:50pm when he received word that his home was on fire, while his wife had just left her place of work when she was informed of the fire. By the time the couple got to the scene, their home was already gutted.
No immediate neighbour was at home at the time but persons in the community noticed the fire streaming in the air and decided to investigate.
A man who was first on the scene said that he jumped several fences raising an alarm in the process. “By the time I got to spot there was nothing I could have done the whole place was covered with fire,” he said.
Some residents of the community said that they experienced electrical problems periodically but the family said that they can’t recall ever having electrical problems. They estimated their loss to be in excess of two million dollars since they had the basic conveniences.
Presently the family is being housed at Celestine’s mother’s home.
