Disabled daughter among three left homeless after Bloomfield fire

Nov 04, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – Bhagwatie Ramcharan, also known as “Sharmela”, of Bloomfield Village, Corentyne, Berbice, is appealing for public assistance after a fire destroyed the upper flat of her two-storey home last Wednesday, leaving her, her husband and their 35-year-old disabled daughter homeless.

Ramcharan, 54, told Kaieteur News that the fire started at approximately 3:20 p.m. while she was at home packing clothes on a table near the fence on the lower flat of the building.

Disabled daughter among three left homeless after Bloomfield fire

Ramcharan watches on as fire quickly destroyed the upper half of her home. The lower portion was spared major damages.

She said she detected an unusual smell and decided to enter the house to investigate. Her 58-year-old husband, Dwarkanauth Budhram, a lorry driver, was not at home at the time.

“I decide to go in the kitchen and check, and I didn’t smell anything. I went upstairs. When I went upstairs, the room points were sparking plenty. I get so frightened, and I just run down back the steps,” she recounted.

Fearing for the safety of her disabled daughter, who was in a downstairs room, Ramcharan immediately rushed to get her out of the building. She then ran into the street, shouting for help and alerting passersby that an electrical mishap had sparked a fire.

Several persons reportedly came to their assistance, while firefighters managed to save the lower flat. However, the upper portion of the house was completely destroyed, along with the family’s belongings and merchandise she had stocked for her business.

Bhagwatie Ramcharan, 54

Ramcharan said burning debris from the upper flat fell onto the lower level, damaging several appliances and other household equipment.

“The top damage with everything for me. I don’t have not a piece clothes, not a piece jewellery, my money, everything damaged. Nothing save at the top. Downstairs in the kitchen, the thing burn and fall and damage everything in the kitchen. Whatever in the bottom house, that alone I have,” she lamented.

The fire has also dealt a major blow to Ramcharan’s livelihood. She operates a small business selling cosmetics and clothing, which she purchases in bulk and stores at her home. Much of her merchandise was destroyed in the blaze.

Her total losses are estimated at approximately $2.5 million.

Flames from last Wednesday that left the three-member family occupying hammocks at nights.

Since the fire, Ramcharan, her husband and their daughter have been left without proper sleeping arrangements, relying on hammocks as their only option.

She explained that while they receive some assistance from members of the public during the day, their situation remains difficult, as they have nowhere else to go and are forced to retire to their hammocks at night. The family had been living at the property for four years.

Ramcharan said she has since been trying to find alternative accommodation but has been unsuccessful, noting that finding a house to rent has proven difficult. She is now appealing to members of the public to assist the family in whatever way possible as they attempt to recover from the devastating loss. Persons willing to assist Ramcharan and her family can contact her on 697-4894.

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Bhagwatie Ramcharan, Bloomfield Village, disabled, Homeless

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