SLEEPING with a switched-on generator inside their home which has no ventilation proved deadly to a family of three who were found on a bed yesterday at Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

Fifty-five-year-old Verby Garraway, her 27-year-old daughter Abiola Josiah, called ‘Abby’, and her six-year-old nephew, Orette Garraway (Jnr.), were reportedly poisoned after inhaling the carbon monoxide that emanated from the generator.

The new house in which the deceased lived for only a few hours.

Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that the individuals on Monday moved to their new home in Parfaite Harmonie from where they formerly lived in La Grange.

A neighbour, Mrs. Osha Clarke, told the Guyana Chronicle that a thanksgiving ceremony was held at the house just after the family moved in.

According to her, the household decided to sleep with the switched-on generator which was kept in their bathroom, since the community does not yet have electricity.

However, the next day, Tuesday, she said the house was locked up all day and workmen who turned up to complete tasks on the building had to leave.

She said a number of persons also went by to drop off furniture but similarly had to leave after their calls went unanswered.

About 10:00h yesterday, Clarke said Police Officers turned up with relatives and broke one of the back windows.

They found the family dead and the bodies were taken to the Best Hospital Mortuary, West Coast Demerara.

Another neighbour, Mr. James Rodrigues, said that after the individuals moved in Monday, he expected to see them opening their windows the next day.

However, after the building continued to be locked up all day, he suspected something was amiss.

He said because the community is not electrified, most of its members would resort to using generators.

“What happened is very sad. We’re always happy when we see someone new moving in the area. We’re glad to have new neighbours and to know that the community is developing,” Rodrigues said.

Josiah was employed with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as an auditor, while her mother was an ex-member of the Special Constabulary.

Garraway was recently enrolled at the Genesis Early Childhood School, also on the West Bank Demerara.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odorless, tasteless, non-irritating but highly toxic gas. It is very difficult for people to detect when they are being affected by it.