A family of four has been left homeless after a fire destroyed their two-storey wooden and concrete home at David James Scheme, Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, on Sunday morning.
The blaze is believed to have started between 07:15 and 08:30 hours, approximately an hour after incense (agrabatti) and a diya were lit at the family’s religious altar for their routine morning prayers.
The home belongs to 38-year-old truck driver Deodat Maniram, who resided in the upper flat with his wife and two daughters, aged ten and eight.
According to preliminary findings, Maniram’s wife lit the agrabatti and diya at the altar — situated next to a window fitted with a cloth curtain — at around 07:15 hours before heading downstairs with their daughters. At approximately 08:30 hours, she heard a noise coming from the upper flat. One of her daughters went to investigate and discovered the top flat was on fire.
Maniram’s wife attempted to extinguish the flames but was unable to do so and quickly contacted the Guyana Fire Service. Firefighters arrived promptly and brought the blaze under control but were unable to save the home.
Police said the upper flat was completely destroyed, with only a few upright posts remaining. The lower flat sustained partial damage, with fire debris scattered across the surrounding areas on the eastern, western and northern sides of the building, including an adjacent shed.
The property was not insured and the value of the loss has not yet been estimated. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
