A family is left devastated after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their two-storey house and most of their belongings at Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday.
The house is occupied by Khamrajie Kelaawan, her husband and a 21-year-old son.
At the time of the fire, family members visiting from New York, United States (US), were also staying at the house. Those family members were slated to return to New York next week.
Gina Khamraj, Kelaawan’s sister, said several relatives were sitting in the yard when they saw smoke emanating from the upper flat of the house at around 14:00 hrs.
In a matter of minutes, Khamraj recounted, the fire ripped through the entire upper flat. A portion of the upper floor caved in, causing damages to the lower flat as well.
Though relatives, neighbours and firefighters attempted to extinguish the blaze, the entire upper flat of the building was destroyed. The family lost a majority of their household items and their travel documents.
Khamraj is hopeful of support from the relevant authorities so that she and her family members can all travel next week.
