A FIRE of unknown origin completely gutted the upper flat of a Lot 43 Middle Street, Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast home on Saturday evening.

Businessman Farouk Khan is currently counting his losses as a number of household items were damaged during the blaze.

According to information, the family was at a wedding house at Anna Regina when the fire started. The house was occupied by several family members.

The businessman’s wife Patsy Khan secured the upper flat of the house earlier on Saturday before going to Anna Regina. In the afternoon, she received a call from her eldest son Jairam Sukhu who lives nearby that smoke was emanating from the building.
Sukhu then alerted the neighbours who called the Anna Regina Fire Station and gained entry to the house by breaking the western window in an effort to uplift the keys. A bucket brigade was formed and most of the flames were extinguished.

The job was completed by members of the Anna Regina Fire Station who arrived soon after. No one was injured and the Anna Regina Fire Station has launched an investigation into the fire.