AN elderly woman and her son are homeless following a fire last night which gutted their two-bedroom wooden cottage at 133 South Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.
Minerva Abel, 68, told the Guyana Chronicle that she had an eye operation a week ago and as such she has to wear sunglasses and is unable to see clearly.
She said shortly after 18:00hrs yesterday she had a shower and lit the lamps, one in the bedroom and the other in the sitting area, and went outside to sit on her verandah.
While sitting she heard a noise and went into the house to check the lamp which was on table in the sitting area, and it was there.
But as soon as she returned to sit outside, she heard shouts of fire.
It is believed that the lamp she had lit in the bedroom fell and set the cottage on fire.
Neighbours quickly went to rescue the elderly woman and took her to
safety at a neighbour’s house, while they summoned the fire service.

Her son, Andy Abel, 48, a handyman attached to Banks DIH, returned home about 19:00hrs only to be told that his house was no more.
The grief stricken Abels were at a loss for words last night as they recounted what took place.
The cottage had no electricity and only lanterns were used at night.
The Abels said they lost all their material possessions, including important documents.
They were last night contemplating their next move and were staying at neighbours.