SEVERAL persons were rendered homeless early yesterday morning after fire completely destroyed a two-flat house and severely damaged a three-storied property in which several persons lived. Up to late last evening the Guyana Fire Service could not give a confirmed report about the cause of the fire since the investigations are still ongoing.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the fire started at approximately 02:30 hrs at Lot 9, Charles Street Charlestown, Georgetown. No one could say what really caused the fire although there were speculations that the fire might have been electrical in origin.
One occupant of the house reported to this newspaper yesterday morning, that he was at home when he heard someone raising an alarm that there was a fire and immediately everyone began to scatter as they scrambled what they could have.
While no one was injured as a result of the fire, four children are among the homeless even as residents of the area claimed that they heard sparks minutes before the fire.
When the Guyana Chronicle visited the area at dayclean, yesterday morning, persons were still effecting clearing of debris and other unwanted materials left lying around after the fire. The response of the Guyana Fire Service was praised while others accused them of engaging in looting. One occupant of one of the houses related too that by the time the fire service arrived the other building had already begun catching.
Meanwhile, yesterday, the Guyana Fire Service came in for some really harsh words after persons alleged that firemen entered the room to battle the blaze and carted off items which were not suppose to be removed from the home.
The property was one that housed several rooms for which persons paid individual rental. They said that their rent monies were removed, passports missing, and several other items.
Efforts to get a response from Guyana Fire Chief Marlon Gentle proved futile.

(By Leroy Smith)