Fire at La Penitence
SHELLY Halley, owner of the two-storey house at Lot 429 North East La Penitence, was in shock and disbelief yesterday, as she watched it being gutted by fire.

Reports said the blaze started in the upper flat around 12:30 h and quickly spread throughout the building but prompt response from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) averted complete destruction.

Residents look on as firefighters put out the blaze.

Halley, a supervisor at the Kitty Demico Qik Serve, also in Georgetown, said she received the news from her daughter who was at home at the time.

Halley said she immediately thought about her children and her 90-year-old grandmother.

“My grandmother is blind and I was so worried about her. I thank God that everyone is safe,” said Halley.

She said: “When I got there, I could not believe my eyes. It was the most horrifying thing to see. It is unbelievable that you leave your home good in the morning and you can return to nothing.”

Shelly Halley, the owner of the house fetching out a drawer with some of her important documents, which were saved from the blaze.

In tears, Halley said she is grateful for all the help from the firefighters and neighbours who assisted in saving some of her furniture and other household items.

She estimated her loss in millions of dollars and lamented that rebuilding will be too expensive now.

She said, for all her 46 years, she lived in the house and took care of it, making sure it is as comfortable, as possible, for her family.

“I did everything for Christmas because I love to celebrate the season but look what has happened. I worked hard for this. I worked hard on the house just to make it a home and look how much just went up in flames,” Halley said.

Up to press time, the GFS was still investigating the origin of the conflagration. (Nathalene de Freitas)