A Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) family was last evening counting their losses after their home was reduced to ashes by a fire of unknown origin.
Reports are that around 6:40 pm, persons observed smoke emanating from the residence at Lot 579 South Cummings Lodge. Shortly afterward, the entire stilt-house was engulfed in flames.
Sonia Singh, who lived in the house along with her three children and her parents, told Stabroek News that she was downstairs at the time when she heard “a noise” emanating from one of the three bedrooms in the house. She said that when she looked up at the house, she observed smoke coming from a room at the back. According to Singh, she scurried upstairs and managed to grab her three children while her father tried desperately to save whatever was within arms’ length. Her mother was not at home at the time.
Singh said the family had limited options where relocation was concerned. She could not estimate the family’s losses but noted that it amounted to millions, since several appliances, including a refrigerator, stand fans and a music system, were destroyed by the blaze.
When this newspaper arrived at the scene, members of the Guyana Fire Service were attempting to obtain water from a nearby trench to douse the house. A brief shower assisted them. Later, officials of the Guyana Power and Light Company arrived at the area to conduct their investigations.
