Corentyne farmer counting losses after fire guts farm

A Corentyne farmer is counting his losses after a fire swept through his farm at Number 48 Village, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), destroying fruit trees, vegetable crops, equipment and building materials.

Dhanraj Ramnauth, called “Bayo”, 42, said the fire started shortly after 10:00h on Sunday and spread through the farm, situated at Second Street, Number 48 Village, opposite the ball field. According to Ramnauth, several coconut trees along with soursop, mango, lime, psydium, cherry, dongs and katahar trees were affected.

Vegetable crops, including squash, pumpkin, balanjay and pepper, were also destroyed. The fire also damaged water tanks, hoses, pipelines, buckets and barrels which were being used on the farm. Ramnauth said he had invested in the trees and other items over time and now estimates his losses at about $200,000. “We bought all of those trees and planted them,” he related. Among the losses were also boards, scantling and other materials Ramnauth said he had recently purchased to construct a toilet and bathroom on the property. “I had bought some materials to make a toilet and bathroom and everything burn out. Boards and scantling and so,” the farmer said.

Ramnauth alleges that the fire originated outside of his farm after another person lit a fire which was left unattended, resulting in the flames spreading onto his property. He further claimed that Sunday’s fire was not the first time his farm had been affected under similar circumstances.

According to Ramnauth, a few months ago, a fire was lit near the ball field and subsequently got out of control, spreading to another farmer’s field as well as a section of his farm. “It was a few months back. He lit the fire next to the ball field and was there while it spread and he couldn’t control it. He leave and gone. The fire had spread and burn another man’s garden and a portion of mine, my wife was at home and out the fire,” Ramnauth related.

Following Sunday’s incident, the matter was reported to the Police.