Venezuelan allegedly attacked before Hampshire house goes up in flames

A Venezuelan national was allegedly attacked with a cutlass before the house he shared with three others was set on fire at Hampshire Village, Corentyne, Berbice, in the early hours of Monday.

The three other occupants managed to escape the blaze without injury.

One of the occupants, 24-year-old Cheto Johnathan Heberto, told reporters that the men had been living at the King Street, Hampshire property for the past six months when a man from the neighbourhood allegedly barged into the house and confronted them.

According to Heberto, the confrontation turned violent after the suspect allegedly armed himself with a cutlass and chopped one of the occupants on his left foot. He claimed the attacker then left the scene, returned a short time later, and deliberately set the house on fire.

The injured Venezuelan national was rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for further treatment. The other three occupants escaped the burning building unharmed.

Information gathered indicates that the owner of the house resides overseas.

A neighbour, Rabindra Sankar, said he was awakened by unusual noises at about 12:30 hours and rushed to the scene, where he assisted in taking the injured man to the hospital. Sankar said he later visited the Rose Hall Town Police Station to report the incident but claimed that no statement was taken from him.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald said the Rose Hall Town Fire Station received a report of the blaze at approximately 12:45 hours. Firefighters responded promptly, but the house was destroyed.

Following preliminary investigations, the Guyana Fire Service concluded that the fire had been deliberately set by someone.

Police and fire officials are continuing their investigations into the suspected arson and assault.