AN early-morning fire of unknown origin on Friday reduced to rubble a Sparta Bamboo Dam residence, leaving its owner to suffer losses in the millions of dollars

The fire, which reportedly started at around 01:00hrs, took place at the two-storey, concrete home of Essequibo resident, Bissessar Mohan.

Fortunately for the Mohans, however, no one was at home when the fire started, as according to reports, the family of four is presently holidaying in the USA.

Its caretaker, Raveena Persaud, Mohan’s sister-in-law, told the Guyana Chronicle she was awakened at around 01:30hrs by a neighbour calling by telephone to tell her about the fire.

She said that on learning what had happened, she immediately ventured to the scene, where she saw firefighters battling the raging flames.

“When I meet, the flames were huge; the firefighters were pumping water onto it in an effort to extinguish the fire,” Persaud said.

Persaud said her brother-in-law and his family left Guyana three months ago, leaving her to oversee the property.

She said that every night ever since, two lights are usually left on for security reasons, but when asked when last she visited the home, she said it was approximately two weeks ago.

And while she could not put a figure to the damage, Persaud said it could run into the millions, since everything was lost, including household items such as refrigerators and other kitchen appliances, beds, televisions, washing machines, and jewellery.

Asked further whether the owner has been informed about the fire, Persaud replied in the affirmative, saying the news has left him in a state of shock.

The matter is currently being investigated by the Anna Regina Fire Station.

As recently as in June, a fire of electrical origin gutted a family home at Windsor Castle, on the Essequibo Coast. It was the second fire in the community.