A family of five is now homeless after a fire destroyed their Rose Hall Town, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) house on Monday night.
Matura Sookraj, his wife Maylin Sookraj, and their three children are currently taking refuge at a neighbour’s house following the blaze that destroyed their belongings and the building that is located at Lot 5 Twin Street, Swamp Section, Rose Hall Town.
According to Matura, he and his family have been renting the building for the past two and a half years. He disclosed that he was in the upper flat of the two-storey concrete and wooden building when his youngest daughter alerted him that there was a fire in the room upstairs.
The fire reportedly began at approximately 21:30 hrs.
“Me seh ‘Oh shucks! Ah fire’ and me seh ‘Go bring the water let me sort out the fire’… but when I throw the water, the fire na out, it get more big and me couldn’t do nothing. All we do is walk out the house…” Sookraj related.
Both Matura and his wife believe the fire was caused by an electrical source.
There were no prior electrical issues that gave the family any cause for concern before but the couple noted that the blaze ripped through the building in a short period of time, even before firefighters could save anything.
“Abe couldn’t save nothing, everything destroy, everything,” Maylin lamented.
Meanwhile, Maylin also disclosed that they lost approximately $300,000 cash in the blaze; that sum is the family’s savings from Matura’s cane harvester’s salary.
She added that their next move is to find somewhere to live but they do not know where to turn considering they are out of cash and any valuables.
They are estimating a loss of over $3 million excluding the cost of the building.
The family is open to accepting any assistance that would help them get back on their feet. Persons desirous of doing so can contact them on 650-8356.
