A family of seven is currently homeless after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their two-storey house in Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant Berbice Tuesday at about 14:00hrs.
The owner, 49-year-old Sharmella Bhoelai suffered burns to her face and arms after she tried to douse the flames in the upper flat.
She shared the home with her daughter, son and four grandchildren – ages 12, 10, 6 and 4.
Bhoelai told the News Room that she was taking a nap with one of her grandchildren when she was awoken by loud screams by her another daughter who lives nearby.
“I [heard] my daughter holler, mommy fire in the upstairs,” Bhoelai told the News Room.
The distraught woman said she rushed upstairs with a bucket of water and tried to douse the flames but it quickly got out of control.
A bucket brigade was formed by several residents who tried desperately to contain the blaze until the fire service responded.
“I don’t know what the next move is. We have to start all over…my children have to start all over back again,” Bhoelai said.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Angela Dhuman, a single mother of three young children was unable to control her tears as she contemplated her next move.
Dhuman, who works as a waitress at a Chinese restaurant, said she was unable to save anything.
“When they come from school, they just see a burn house and they were just crying…” the young mother said.
“Everything burn, we don’t even have a piece of clothes. I am a single mother of three kids and I work for them and buy everything and put in the house, now everything burn.”
The Guyana Fire Service Rose Hall Brigade responded promptly and managed to save the lower flat. Anyone willing to assist them can contact +592 664-8793.
