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Fire guts two Sophia homes
…one man arrested as police probe suspected arson
(Kaieteur News) – A fire, suspected to be an act of arson, ripped through a residential section of 110 F North, Sophia last night, leaving several families displaced and one man recounting his narrow escape.
The fire, which occurred around 6:40 PM damaged two two-bedroom flat houses in a shared family yard. For 59-year-old Vaden Chester, a driver who has lived in the area his entire life, it began as a normal evening. He was sitting in his bed speaking with his wife on the phone when he noticed something unusual. Chester explained that he saw what he initially thought was someone throwing a bucket of water to wash a bike. Instead, he quickly realised a nearby motorcycle was actually engulfed in flames, and within minutes, the situation escalated from a small fire into an uncontrollable blaze which eventually destroyed his and his nephew’s house next door.
As the heat intensified, Chester’s immediate instinct was to secure his property. Realising the danger his vehicle posed if the fire spread further, he acted fast when neighbours yelled for him to move the car before it blew up and caused more trouble.
Speaking to Kaieteur News on the scene, he said “they tell me move the car…because if it blow up…so I lock the house, I live alone. So I lock the house and I come out, I come out to drive the car out by the corner. By the time I come back everything gone.” After successfully driving the car to safety, Chester returned to find his home completely consumed by the flames.
Despite the total loss of his home, Chester managed to save his phone and his essential documents.
According to Chester and other residents in the area, the fire was not an accident “it started with a motorbike; it was lit. And I know he lit it.” He further confirmed the relation of the suspect, stating, “it’s my late wife’s nephew okay.” The police on the scene confirmed the suspect has been arrested. While a specific motive remains unclear, family members noted that the individual had been experiencing personal difficulties and appeared to have “tripped out.”
The Guyana Fire Service was called to the scene, though residents noted it took some time for the tenders to arrive. By the time the flames were brought under control, the houses were completely gutted.
Chester, whose children and sister quickly arrived at the scene to support him, plans to stay with family while he figures out his next steps. Police are continuing their investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
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