Five homeless after fire at No. 67 Village – News Room Guyana

A family of five is homeless after a fire destroyed their four-bedroom home at Number 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, early Thursday morning.

Geetanjali Sukhram, 41, told the News Room that she was at home with her three children when the fire broke out around 02:00 hours.

The fire is believed to have started accidentally.

Sukhram said her husband, a fisherman, had been smoking and threw cigarette ashes outside the house, unaware that they had landed near pieces of seine. She explained that fuel intended for his boat was also stored nearby.

Within minutes, she noticed flames and rushed to wake her 12-year-old daughter and her two sons, aged 11 and nine, who were sleeping.

The Corriverton Fire Station was contacted, but Sukhram said firefighters took some time to arrive.

The family had occupied the flat concrete house for 15 years. The blaze destroyed the building, along with their belongings and several pieces of seine used for fishing.

Sukhram estimated that the fishing equipment was worth $15 million, while the house and other belongings were valued at approximately $40 million.

Overwhelmed by the loss, she said the family was now uncertain about its next steps, particularly how she would provide for her children and ensure they could continue attending school.

“I don’t know what is my next move. Meh don’t have no money, nothing. Meh don’t have nothing fuh meh kids them go to school,” she said.

She added that her husband was struggling to come to terms with the incident and appealed to the public for assistance as they try to rebuild their lives.

“I willing to accept any assistance if persons want to help. I don’t have no other option because it’s about my kids them education,” Sukhram said.

The family can be contacted on: 639-7180 pr 611-4113.

Meanwhile, Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald confirmed that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE