Springlands family loses home in fire

Dec 08, 2015 News

A fire suspected to be electrical in origin on Sunday, has left eight persons homeless and millions of dollars in losses, after it destroyed their two-storey home which also housed a grocery store, Pool corner and living quarters downstairs.
The building which was located at Lot 12, Springlands, Corriverton, Corentyne , Berbice, was owned by 66-year- old James Verwey and his wife Denese Verwey .

The blaze raging at the Verwey’s home.

The couple shared it with one of their sons, his wife and six-year-old child upstairs while a daughter and her two children, ages four and two, occupied the bottom flat alongside the business.
According to information the fire started around 15:30 hrs. It was reported that there was a steady power outage during the day. The fire reportedly began not too long after power returned. The fire was first spotted on a wall in one of the bedrooms.
According to the homeowner, her daughter reported to her that she smelt something burning. Upon checking, she noticed fire in the ceiling. An alarm was raised and a fire truck from the nearby fire station less than 100 metres away responded quickly. However the truck quickly ran out of water even as the fire was still in the bedroom.
The truck had to leave the fire which quickly started to ravage the building and head to the GWI well station about two miles away to refill. This act was repeated about 10 times. Every time the truck left the area, the fire would intensify. There was a trench nearby, however the residents were told that there was not enough hose to reach and access the water, thus the repeated trips to the well.
The residents in the meantime had formed bucket brigades, which were no match for the raging inferno. However they managed to assist the homeowners save a few items.
Mrs. Verwey said that the house was “well furnished with everything”. The Grocery was also well stocked and they were looking forward for a good Christmas. The family cannot estimate their losses.
The woman’s husband is a retired boat builder.
They are presently staying at one of her daughters’ residence at Line Path B, Corriverton.
Just one day earlier, another fire destroyed a two-storey house belonging to 53-year-old Mohamed Ashmin Nazrudeen, of 479 Block 19.
Investigations are ongoing into both fires.