Fire service says deadly Linden fire was maliciously set

The Linden fire on Christmas day which claimed the lives of sisters Angelique and Ronika Lawrence and their aunt Zella Lawrence was maliciously set, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said Friday.

“Fire Prevention officials were able to determine that the fire was maliciously set by person(s) unknown,” the GFS said in a press release on Friday.

The fire occurred around 02:00hrs on December 25 at Zella’s Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden living quarters.

In a press release, the GFS had said that upon arrival at the scene, firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the bottom floor of the building.

The bodies of the girls, 8 and 16, and their aunt was discovered in the bathroom area of the house.

Sixteen-year-old Angelique and eight-year-old Ronika had accompanied their mother, Onika Lawrence to the mining town to spend time with their relatives for the Christmas holiday.

Autopsies later revealed that the girls and their aunt died as a result of smoke inhalation.

The children’s mother, Onika Lawrence, had told the News Room that Zella collected the children last Saturday and took them to her place so they could enjoy the holidays.

Around 02:00hrs Christmas morning, her other sister received a call informing her of the fire at Zella’s place.

According to Onika, they decided to venture to the Zella’s place.

Upon arrival, she said she noticed the fire tender and police vehicle at the scene.

Up to that point, Onika told the News Room that she had hope that they were in the building and was waiting to be rescued.