Two young children were saved by residents from a burning house at Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara early yesterday morning.
Around 6 am yesterday, residents were awakened by the loud screams of the two children, who were reported to have been trapped in the Lot 24 Nimrod Street, Ann’s Grove house.
The single-flat wooden building was burnt to ashes within a matter of minutes after the two children, two-year-old Malachi and his brother Nathaniel (only names given), were pulled out by the neighbours, who included a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
However, Malachi sustained burns to his hands and knees. He was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he was said to be in a stable condition up to late yesterday.
The fire was reportedly started by a lit lamp that ignited a mattress.
The mother of the children, Sydell (only name given), who works as a security guard, said she was still on duty when she received a call from a co-worker informing her that her house was on fire. “I left immediately and went home in concern for my children because I didn’t care about the house and I see the whole house did almost burn down already,” she recounted.
She said she had left the children in the care of a baby sitter, as is customary, and was puzzled when she found out that they were left unattended.
When Stabroek News visited the scene yesterday afternoon, residents had mixed concerns about the fire. One woman stated that it was customary that Sydell would leave the children unattended in the house because of her job.
A neighbour said she had just awakened and was standing on her step when she heard the children crying. “Before I could have look up, I see thick smoke coming out from top of the house and I scream for help,” the woman said.
At this time, other residents were alerted and they rushed to render assistance. “I try to kick open the door but like it did lock from inside so I didn’t manage. I had to stretch my hand in the window and I get out Nathaniel,” she related, while adding that a member of the GDF who resides in the same street managed to get into the burning building through a window to save Malachi.
