INVESTIGATIONS into the recent fire at Ocean View, Uitvlugt on the West Coast Demerara are ongoing with several persons being questioned by the police as there is a suspicion that it could have been caused by an act of arson.
Commander of ‘D’ Division, Mr. Gavin Primo has said that they are still investigating the Tuesday, May 16, 2010 fire at Ocean View, Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, in which a pensioner’s house was gutted by fire.
The displaced home owner, Essau Ishmael, 67, was hospitalised at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), days after his house was destroyed by fire suspected to be an act of arson by a woman who frequented the dwelling house. He has been currently transferred to the Leonora Diagnostic Centre.
The woman, police said has since been released as well as three other persons who were also assisting with investigations.
Assistant Commissioner Primo told the Guyana Chronicle that the matter is being looked at ‘from every corner.’
At the time, Mr. Ishmael and his son, Rayman Ishmael, 28, were the occupants of the house but at the time of the fire no one was at home.
The fire reportedly started at about 21:00 h but quick response from firemen from the Lenora Fire Station resulted in the outer walls of the building being saved, but the interior and all the household items were destroyed in the conflagration.
The blaze was brought under control in about 45 minutes and there was no damage to neighbouring buildings.