Plaisance fire leaves 12 homeless

A fire on Monday completely gutted a two-story wooden and concrete structure at Lot 1 Graham Street Plaisance, East Coast Demerara and has left 12 persons homeless.

The News Room understands that the fire of unknown origin started at about 10:20hrs.

Construction worker, Carl James and his wife, Junan Holland lived in the lower flat of the building with their six children.

A mother of three, Shaya Quamina lived in the upper flat. The building was owned by Holland’s grandfather, Christopher Holland.

Holland said she and her children were downstairs painting when the fire started.

The woman said Quamina and her children were upstairs, when two of them ran out and raised an alarm.

According to reports the fire started in a bedroom facing a western direction in the upper flat.

Quamina noted that two of her children were playing in that same room before the fire.

Both Quamina and Holland escaped the burning building with their children; they were unable to save anything.

Valuables including cash, jewelry and appliances were all destroyed and the News Room understands that the losses are estimated to be several millions of dollars.

It was noted that when the fire service arrived, they had issues with pumping water due to mechanical issues.