Latest update August 10th, 2026 12:59 AM
Aug 01, 2026 News
(Kaieteur News) – A 65-year-old man died after being unable to escape a fire that destroyed two homes and damaged a third on Lamaha Street, Newtown, Georgetown, on Thursday night, leaving several people homeless.
The dead man was identified as Vernon Duncan.
The blaze erupted around 21:00 hrs. In a statement, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said fire tenders and firefighters from the Campbellville, headquarters, and Eccles Fire Stations responded promptly.
“Upon arrival, three homes were engulfed in flames,” the GFS said, adding that through coordinated efforts, firefighters successfully contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading further.
Two of the homes were completely destroyed, while the third suffered partial damage. All the occupants escaped except Duncan, who was later confirmed dead.
“Following the successful suppression of the fire, firefighters conducted a thorough search of the premises and tragically discovered the charred remains of the missing occupant,” the GFS said.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Sylvia Grey, whose home was partially damaged, said she and her family tried to save the building by wetting the walls, but the smoke became overwhelming. In a video interview with another media outlet, she recalled telling her son to stay calm when she saw the flames spreading. “So, I glance over there and see the big fire over there, and I tell me son now, I say, ‘Don’t panic,'” Grey said.
Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore visited one of the victims, pensioner Desiree Mohon, on Friday after she lost her entire home in the fire. In a Facebook post, Mentore said he assured Mohon that the Mayor and City Council would support efforts to restore her life to normalcy, and that he would raise her case along with those of others affected by the fire with the Council.
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