Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
Probation officer loses house in Easter night fire
Members of the Craig family are counting their losses after a fire ripped through the two-storey house at Lot 55 Block 33, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, last evening.
Those homeless have been identified as 38-year-old businessman, Julian Craig, his wife Samantha Craig, a 37-year-old Probation Officer and their four children aged 15, 11, six and four.
Neighbours reported that they immediately summoned the fire service. However, the tenders arrived after the building was completely engulfed in flames.
The origin of the fire is so far unknown but initial reports are that the blaze started right after electricity would have returned to the area subsequent to a power outage.
Just around 19:30 last evening, neighbours reported seeing the bottom flat of the building on fire. Smoke was emanating from the building. The neighbours said that in no time, the flames consumed the entire structure.
When Kaieteur News visited the scene, dozens of residents were seen offering their support. According to information, no one was at home at the time of the fire and no one could say exactly how it started.
The Probation Officer said she and her family had ventured to the city to participate in the Easter activities. Much to her dismay, a neighbour called informing them that their house was on fire.
Samantha Craig said that they tried to race home but the heavy traffic at the Demerara Harbour Bridge last evening, limited their progress. When they arrived home the house was already burnt. She was at a loss to ascertain the source of the fire.
Husband, Julian Craig, said that they have lost millions of dollars in the fire. In addition to their furniture and other valuables, there were pieces of dredging machinery in the house at the time.
According to the neighbours, the community had experienced two periods of blackout yesterday. It was soon after power was restored the second time that they noticed the Craig’s house on fire.
One neighbour, Roderick Ernestine, said around 7:30 his wife alerted him that his immediate neighbour’s house was on fire. “In about 15 minutes, the entire building was on fire…the fire spread fast,” Ernestine said.
No one reported hearing any noise or explosions coming from the property. Persons only knew the house was on fire when they saw flames.
The family had built the four-bedroom house five years ago.
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