Minister Parag, regional officials rally to aid West Coast Berbice family left homeless by fire

Jun 27, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – A Plantation Hope, West Coast Berbice family of five is picking up the pieces after a devastating fire reduced their home to rubble and government officials were among the first to answer their call for help.

Just one day after the blaze, Minister of Education Sonia Parag led a delegation to the gutted property on Friday, accompanied by Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Mary Samaroo and Regional Vice-Chairman Kleon Lindey, to personally assess the damage and pledge assistance to the shaken family.

Thursday’s fire broke out at approximately 10:00 AM, tearing through the two-storey wooden and concrete structure in a matter of minutes. The home, which had stood for roughly 20 years, belonged to Jasoda (only name), the mother of resident Dhanraj Arnold, 32.

Minister Parag, regional officials rally to aid West Coast Berbice family left homeless by fire

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag and Region Five officials during a visit to the fire victims on Friday.

At the time of the blaze, Jasoda was working with her husband at Mahaicony Creek when she received the devastating call from her daughter informing her that her home was on fire.

Inside the house was 20-year-old housewife Bibi Fareena Wahab and her two-year-old son. Wahab recounted the terrifying moments that unfolded while she was in the shower.

“My son was outside playing with his toys. When he called out to me, I came out just in time, the smoke and flames were already taking over,” she said. Grabbing her toddler, she managed to escape with their lives, but little else.

While the family was unable to place a total figure on their losses, the financial toll is significant. Arnold told Kaieteur News that three electric generators valued at over $130,000 were damaged, along with a motorcycle worth more than $270,000 and an assortment of work tools. Multiple household appliances were also destroyed. Only a handful of important documents were salvaged from the debris.

The family, now without shelter, is appealing to the public for any assistance that would help them rebuild.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald stated, based on preliminary investigations, that the fire was started by a child playing with matches. However, the family firmly disputes this conclusion, maintaining that no matches were present in or around the home at the time. The cause of the fire remains a point of contention as investigations continue.

Minister Parag, who serves as the geographic parliamentary representative for the Mahaica-Berbice region, assured the family that help was on the way. According to a release from the Ministry of Education, local community activists are already mobilising resources on the family’s behalf, and a fundraiser is being planned to aid in the construction of a new home.

REO Mary Samaroo added her own pledge of support from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Five, signalling a coordinated effort between government and community to help the family get back on their feet.

Members of the public wishing to assist the family may contact them at 648-6498.

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aid, fire, Sonia Parag, West Coast Berbice

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