FIRE of unknown origin last Saturday swept through a five-acre coconut farm at Malborough, Lower Pomeroon River, destroying every dried thing in its path and leaving in its wake a trail of scorched coconut trees.

Farm owner, 80-year-old Naomi Duncan, said she watched in disbelief as, fanned by a steady breeze, the fire took control of her farm and destroyed her only source of livelihood. The pensioner suspects the fire was started when the intense heat of the sun caused dry grasses to go up in flames.

Saying she had wanted to replant her farm but didn’t have the money to purchase coconut seedlings, Duncan is appealing for assistance in this respect from government and the Ministry of Agriculture. (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)