Fire destroys D’Urban Backlands home of NCN broadcaster

Mia Ritchie speaking to reporters
Mia Ritchie speaking to reporters

A fire of unknown origin yesterday gutted the home of a local broadcaster and her family and a probe is underway to determine the cause.

Stabroek News gathered that the fire started sometime after 12.30 pm and while the fire service responded, the entire interior of the one-flat building was destroyed.

The house at Lot 6 Thorn’s Drive D’Urban Backlands, was occupied by Mia Ritchie 49, a broadcaster at the National Communications Network and two of her children. At the time of the fire no one was home.

The remains of Mia Ritchie’s abode.

Ritchie yesterday told reporters that she was at work when her supervisor informed her of the fire. She explained that she rushed to the scene but discovered it was too late to save any items from the building. The mother said when she arrived, she observed her house covered in smoke.

She stated that except for the refrigerator, there was no other electrical appliance connected to the electricity supply. However, she noted that that entire morning, they had been experiencing power outages and observed that when she left home there was no electricity.

Ritchie said her home was furnished with all modern amenities.

 Now only the external structure of the building remains standing.