Arson suspected in blaze that leaves West Berbice family homeless

Jun 26, 2018 News

A couple and their three-year-old toddler were left without a home after the building went up in flames sometime around 2:00 am Sunday at Yank Dam, D ‘Edward Village, West Coast Berbice.
Cindy (only name given) along with her toddler son were reportedly at home when the blaze began at their concrete and wooden one flat edifice. Her husband was out.
According to Mr. Clive McDonald, Officer in Charge of Operations, Guyana Fire Service, Berbice, the Onverwagt Fire Department received a call at approximately 2:39 hrs Sunday morning of a fire at Yank Dam, D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice.

What remained of the building after the inferno.

The fire service arrived at the scene, promptly, “When we arrived, the building and contents were destroyed. The crew went into action immediately to extinguish the debris.”
He stated that the cause of the fire is still unknown. However, they are currently investigating to determine the origin of the fire.
Sources at the fire department revealed that the fire is suspected to be an arson since the owners of the building had divulged to them who they suspected.

Clive McDonald, Officer-in-Charge of Operations, GFS Berb

Meanwhile, a neighbour of the couple said that she was sleeping when her son awoke her to inform her that Akash and Cindy’s home was on fire. “My son woke me up and tell me, the bai house at the back on fire so when me get up, me see heavy fire around”.
She stated that the fire had already engulfed the entire building so nothing could be saved.
The woman also claimed that the fire service arrived nearly an hour later.
However, the Fire Department debunked those claims and stated that Onverwagt is fifteen minutes away from where the fire took place and they arrived within that period of time.
Millions of dollars is estimated in losses. Investigations are ongoing.