A FATHER of six was burnt to death in a makeshift home inside a wildlife building on Wednesday morning at Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).Dead is 54-year-old Imran Adams Shaw called ‘Adam’, who tried desperately to escape the fire; however, he was trapped inside after he failed to open the grilled door. This newspaper understands that Adam lived inside the building, which housed the Guyana Wildlife, Trappers and Exporters business and mosque.
The fire razed the entire concrete and wooden area for animals and birds. Fortunately, many of the cages were not occupied and those in cages escaped; the mosque was not destroyed.
The dead man’s father,Mohammed Annief Shaw, who is also the owner of the business, said the fire erupted around 02:45hrs. He said his wife woke up and noticed the flames from an adjoining building.

“She saw the fire and started to shout and by the time we rushed outside we could not go closer to the building because the fire already take up a big portion of the building,” he said.
The businessman explained that his son was bracing the grill door and tried to open it with the keys, but the door would not open.
“We got two big rocks and we tried smashing the door to open the grill, but it was sturdy, it would not budge, so he roast in there,” the elder Shaw said. He said his grandson managed to save two minibuses which were parked in the yard. It was noted that relatives had to visit a nearby fire station to summon the fire engine; upon arrival at the scene, firefighters used water from a large container inside the yard.
According to the businessman, Adam was the youngest of his six children and he lived alone in the building. He said his son was an alcoholic who suffered from seizures.
Shaw could not say how the fire started and this is the first incident to have occurred there. He told the Guyana Chronicle that a recent investment was made to refurbish the business and the bird aviaries pending government’s approval of licence to export.
“The holding facility for mammals, reptiles and aviary was burnt, is only last year I paint all the cages and renovate the entire place …. I grew up in this business. My father started it in 1947 and since then, we kept doing it,” the businessman said.
He hopes to get back on his feet soon.
THREATS TO BURN THE BUILDING
Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told this newspaper that the Timehri fire station received a call about the fire after 03:00hrs and a fire engine was dispatched. According to Gentle, firefighters managed to save the mosque and another building in the yard.

He explained that based on investigations, Adam was an alcoholic who had problems with his family, which resulted in him living in a makeshift area inside the business place.
The Fire Chief noted that from reports received, the man had recently threatened to burn the building . Gentle pointed out that in May 31, 2009, a nearby building, which was owned by Adam, was also burnt under mysterious circumstances.

The fire chief is encouraging persons who are experiencing family issues to seek counselling, since they have to be more responsible for their actions.