A devastating fire on Tuesday morning reduced a family’s home of nearly 40 years to ashes, leaving two siblings without shelter at Lot 159, Number 8 Village, West Coast Berbice.
Nadine Pluck, 46, a janitor at Blairmont Sugar Estate, had left for work at around 6:00 hours, securing her home before heading out. She occupied the lower flat of the wooden structure, while her brother lived in the upper flat. At approximately 12:35 hours, a neighbor’s call shattered her routine with news that her home was on fire. By the time she arrived at the scene, the entire structure had already been destroyed.
Berbice Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald confirmed that the blaze originated in the upper flat and was caused by a kerosene stove. Firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service Region Five responded swiftly but were unable to save the building.
Nadine, who also engages in poultry farming as a secondary income, said the fire wiped out everything she had worked for. “Everything I needed was in that house,” she said. “I had 120 pounds in the freezer which I does distribute to local market, all was destroyed. When I come everything cooked, I have nothing.”
Despite the scale of her loss, Nadine says she remains determined to find shelter and rebuild her life. Anyone wishing to assist her can make contact at 619-8299.
