Man, 94, dies after injured in Bartica house fire

A mid-afternoon fire on Wednesday in Bartica claimed the life of 94-year-old Albert Hopkinson, known as ‘Major’.

While Major was recused from the inferno and rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital, he succumbed while receiving treatment for burns he sustained on his body.

The elder Hopkinson and his daughter Dawn Hopkinson were rendered homeless within minutes when the house at Third Avenue, Bartica became engulfed in flames around 13:00 hrs. The fire is suspected to have started in one of the rooms in the upper flat.

Neigbhours rushed to the scene after seeing smoke emanating from a room window. At the time, Albert Hopkinson was upstairs in his bedroom, while his daughter was reportedly cooking downstairs.

When the fire service arrived, the wooden structure was already fully ablaze, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Despite efforts from onlookers and neighbours, the fire rapidly spread and could not be immediately contained.

In an act of bravery, Sinead Holder, a Bartica resident, along with two others, entered the burning building and successfully rescued Albert Hopkinson who suffered severe third-degree burns. Meanwhile, his daughter courageously attempted to salvage their belongings from the inferno, resulting in significant second-degree burns for herself.

Emergency responders quickly transported both Albert and Dawn Hopkinson to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where they received medical treatment. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined