News Source Guyana Reports : In the aftermath of a devastating fire on Thursday that destroyed four buildings on James Street, Albouystown, more than 30 individuals have been left homeless and are now receiving support from the government and various organizations.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has set up a shelter at the Six Head Lewis Gym in Albouystown to accommodate those displaced by the blaze. Additionally, the government has provided financial assistance of $50,000 to each affected family, along with food, mattresses, and other essential items.
News Source visited the scene of the fire today, where a team from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Utility Section was actively clearing debris from the site.
Among the victims is 26-year-old Kelly-Ann Andrews, a mother of three, who reflected on the loss of her home. She spent the night with her father and children after the fire. “They said they will help us. They said to find a place, and they will pay three months’ rent, but I’m trying to figure out what will happen to all my damaged belongings. I lost everything, including my setup for doing hair,” she explained. Andrews expressed hope for further assistance to rebuild her home and restart her small business.
Mohamed Din, the owner of two buildings that were completely gutted, shared his heartache over the losses. “My children sent a lot of things from overseas, and many items were stored downstairs and in the garage. Generators and other things were burned up,” he said. Din had nine tenants in his buildings and was alerted to the fire while at home.
At the shelter in Six Head Lewis Gym, 32-year-old Alisha Farnun described her ordeal. “I was at work when I got the call that my house was burning down. When I arrived, everything was destroyed. I couldn’t save any documents, my children’s birth certificates, or their school uniforms. It’s really hard starting from scratch,” she recounted.
Another fire victim, a young mother, expressed gratitude for the initial support. “The ministers came last night and helped us a lot. They provided $50,000 each to everyone affected, along with mattresses and breakfast. We are very grateful for their assistance,” she said.
Members of the People’s National Congress-led APNU were also on-site today, delivering food items and supplies to those affected. The party pledged to continue supporting the victims and encouraged others to contribute.
Meanwhile, Divisional Officer of the Guyana Fire Service, Andrew Holder, stated that the Fire Service is currently assessing the damage and continuing its investigations into the cause of the fire.
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