The swift actions of a mother saved three of her children after a devastating fire engulfed their house in Mainstay, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Wednesday morning.
The News Room understands that the house was owned by Shervin De Yonge. His wife was washing clothing outside and three of their five children were inside a bedroom when the fire started.
Mr De Yonge told the News Room that his 10-year-old daughter is recovering from dengue fever and did not attend school on Wednesday; his three-year-old and one-year-old were playing on the bed when the 10-year-old noticed smoke.
The man stated that the sick girl could not shout for help but thankfully neighbours saw fire emanating from the windows and alerted the mother.
The woman ran into the house and grabbed all three children.
“The mother ran quickly and grabbed [the children]…if she did only take one out and said she was returning for the other, there would be no returning, it was that close,” Mr De Yonge said.
Residents in the area reported witnessing a fuse spark on the house, purportedly igniting the flames that rapidly consumed the entire wooden, small structure.
“I holler for the neighbours and said the house burning down or something. I see fire coming out from the meter,” Marlon Benjamin, a resident recounted.
Benjamin explained that neighbours attempted to form a bucket brigade but the fire could not be controlled after the children were rescued.
The family was unable to save anything from the house, leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“All that I am left with his my working uniform,” Mr De Yonge said. An investigation to determine the cause of the fire is underway.
Anyone wishing to assist the family can contact them on telephone number: +592 649 3265
