Two separate families are now homeless and seeking public assistance after a devastating midday fire destroyed two homes at Sheet Anchor Village on Friday.
The fire, said to have been caused by a four-year-old, began at the residence of Jeffrey Fraser, a 54-year-old plumber of Sheet Anchor Village. He told reporters he had returned from Corentyne and left to go a short distance from his home to purchase something to eat. On his way back, he saw what appeared to be smoke, but did not imagine it to be his home where he had lived for 20 years.
“I left and went out on the road lil bit to go and buy a roti. By the time I come in back by the head of the street, soon as I swing so, I said like it was rubbish burning. By time I reached so close, my house get ketch,” Fraser stressed.
His four-year-old son was home when he left to make his purchase. On his way back, and noticing the fire, he observed that his son was already out on the road and away from danger. The man lived with his wife and his son, and disclosed that everything was lost in the fire.
Based on initial observation, Fraser said that the fire originated from the back portion of the house. Neighbours confirmed that the fire started between 11:30 hours and 12:00 hours. The flames completely destroyed Fraser’s two-bedroom wooden home before moving to the home of neighbour, Phulmattie Madramootoo.
Madramootoo, 60, who lived with her son, said she saw smoke rising from Fraser’s home and alerted neighbours that the man’s son was in the home. He was quickly rescued. However, efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to her property proved unsuccessful, and her home was eventually destroyed. She measured her losses in the millions.
“I make up the house the other day. I buy new bed, new wardrobe, my son over half a million in jewellery, he chain and he band, all my furniture, two beds, brand new mattress, everything (destroyed),” she told reporters on Friday.
Her son was at Albion, Corentyne when he was informed of the fire. They did manage to save their two vehicles from damage. She stated that she had resided at the 3-bedroom property for 30 years.
According to Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald, a call was made to the operations room in New Amsterdam at 11:57 hours with a report that a building was on fire at Sheet Anchor. Two fire tenders were sent to the location and measures were taken to contain the blaze. Fraser’s building was already completely demolished, while firefighters attempted to save Madramootoo’s property. Though still standing, the building was destroyed.
Successful efforts by the firefighters prevented further extension of the fire, as many buildings are closely aligned through that narrow street. The senior fire official also said that investigations confirmed that the child was playing with matches, which prompted the blaze.
Now contemplating how to restart their lives, both victims are seeking any form of assistance from the public.
Jeffrey Fraser can be contacted on (+592) 664-0058, while Phulmattie Madramootoo can be reached on 655-6479.
