Morgan Jagai, 63, an overseas-based Guyanese on Monday became the second person to die by fire within a week in Berbice when his two-storey wood and concrete house went up in flames at his Bloomfield, Corentyne residence.
Jagai who lived alone in the building had only returned to Guyana from the United States a few days ago. No family member was around but according to residents the fire which seemed to be electrical in origin started around 1:30 hrs and quickly engulfed the building.
Residents stated that they immediately contacted the Guyana Fire Service which took a long while to arrive. The Guyana Fire Service has a base at Rose Hall Town which is about two miles away.
It is understood that Jagai has two sons who lives overseas.
Just last Wednesday, 52-year-old Hazel Johnson, who lived alone in a rented two-storey wood and concrete apartment building at 30 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, burnt to death inside the house, when fire engulfed the building during a prolonged period of ‘Black out’ in The New Amsterdam area.
Her charred remains were found near a door on the bottom flat. Johnson is survived by two sons, Clairmont, who is in the United States, and Chris who lives in Georgetown.
The other occupant of the house, Jean Headley, a retiree and her 21-year-old niece, Latoya Plass, returned home from church in time to see their dwellings being engulfed by the flames.
Headley had lived at the house for over 24 years. They lost everything in the inferno. Residents also blamed the GFS for their tardiness fighting that fire.