A family of six is now homeless after an early morning fire gutted their entire two-storey house in Canefield, East Canje Berbice.
Elna Thornhill, 64, resided at the location with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
The fire of unknown origin started just around 6.40 am in the upper flat of Thornhill’s two- storey concrete and wooden house.
According to her, she was in the bathroom located in the lower flat about to shower when her husband who had suffered from a stroke sometime back told her that flames had engulfed the roof of their house.
“I ran out of the bathroom naked skin and then I ran back in the bathroom for a towel… Like I don’t really know what I was doing. I ran into the bedroom for my bag then I ran back… I was running up and down because I was so confused because nothing like this ever happened to me before”, she said.
The woman’s daughter, Melissa Ramalho, said that she immediately grabbed her two children ages 7 and 5 and ran to the street in order to bring them to safety.
Neighbours rushed to their assistance and were able to grab a few households items. An electric scooter and a car which were parked under the house were both severely damaged as a result of the fire.
Meanwhile, Thornhill who operates a business in New Amsterdam further explained that her stocks were also damaged in the fire.
“I run back but the heat was too much. I was running to go upstairs to see my grandchildren but when I go up the step the heat and the fire was too much and I had to come out back.”
The family is seeking assistance as they contemplate their next move and can be contacted on telephone numbers 653-6497 or 662-9740.
