McDoom fire leaves 12 homeless

By Ramona Luthi

At approximately 01:30hrs today, a raging fire completely destroyed three houses at 49-50 Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara, leaving at least twelve persons homeless.

According to an eyewitness who lived in one of the buildings, along with her mother and other siblings, she was asleep when the fire broke out.

She related that it was her mother who became aware of the fire and immediately alerted the other residents in the nearby houses which were situated very close to each other. They were all forced to jump over the fence on the northern side of the lot in an effort to save themselves.

Another house on the same plot of land consisted of a mother, Farida Smith, her children, Brian Smith and Nikesha Smith and her grand children, Nicolai and Nikara Bacchus. They also had to act very quickly to save themselves.

So far, it is still not clear as to how the fire started, but INews understands that one man was detained by Police ranks as the fire started at the bottom flat of the building he had occupied. He was also seen acting in a suspicious manner.

The police were contacted and four fire tenders arrived at the scene; however, none had water. Neighbours believe that if the fire trucks were prepared, the damage of the fire would not have been as severe.

No one was injured.

The homeless persons spent the rest of the night with neighbours but are not certain as to their next move.

Investigations are ongoing.