– son remains in police custody

THE son of the man who perished in a fire at Kildonan, Village on Monday remains in police custody as the police and fire service intensify the probe. A source close to the investigation told Guyana Chronicle that a bottle containing kerosene was found at the scene of the fire.

Collin Ross, 52, was detained by police on Monday after he turned up at the scene of the fire hours after and gave conflicting reports about his whereabouts. According to Divisional Commander, Ian Amsterdam, the police are working in collaboration with the fire service to determine to cause of the fire. He said the police will await the report from the fire service, after which a file will be prepared and sent for advice.

At around 03:00hrs on Monday, an 82-year-old man died after a fire of unknown origin ripped through his Kildonan Village, despite the heroic efforts of his neighbours.

Dead is Rudolph Ross called “Uncle Bruce”; his charred remains were found lying by a window on the eastern side of the two storied wooden and concrete structure. This newspaper understands that the elderly man and Ross resided in the house but they had an argument, after which Ross moved out on Sunday. A neighbour, Brian Jackson, 41, told Guyana Chronicle that he was awoken by loud cries for help from the elderly man.

Jackson said he immediately summoned help and a bucket brigade was formed in an effort to save the elderly man, who was trapped due to grille work, the thick smoke and intense heat. Brian explained that while the bucket brigade was trying to douse the inferno he and another tried to get the senior citizen out but had to retreat after the heat became too much.

A post mortem examination was conducted on the remains of the man on Tuesday and revealed that he died from smoke inhalation due to exposure to flames.