SEVEN people, including a young single mother of three, are now homeless following a fire on Tuesday afternoon at Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant East Berbice, Corentyne.
The Guyana Chronicle understands that at around 14:00hrs, a fire of unknown origin destroyed the two-storey wooden house of Sharmella Bhoelai, 49, who was asleep at the time.

Speaking to reporters, Bhoelai said she had just dosed off after putting one of her granddaughters to sleep, and was awoken to the screams of “Fire! Fire!” from one her daughters who live next door. “Me jump up full speed and see fire coming from the bedroom upstairs so I picked up a bucket of water and hurry fuh throw am but the fire too big that nah do nothing and me start fuh bring more water and other people come help but the fire start spread more and everything destroyed.”

While trying to battle the blaze, Bhoelai received minor burns about the body including burns to her cheek and right hand. As the residents tried to get the fire under control, the Rose Hall fire tender responded and helped to extinguish the flames but the damage was already done. Everything of value was reduced to ashes.

At the time of the fire, Bhoelai and her four-year-old granddaughter were at home alone and she cannot recall leaving any appliance on at the time. Bhoelai shares the home with her son, a welder, Amar Dhuman 22, her daughter and four grandchildren. She related that the house was furnished by her son and daughter.

Meanwhile, her daughter, 27-year-old Angela Dhuman, who was unaware of the fire, was shocked, and fell to her knees in tears when she brought her three daughters home from school as she does daily, to see the home reduced to ashes. Dhuman, a waitress, is estranged from her husband and has been the breadwinner for her three girls ages six, 10 and 12.

“Me work hard to make sure them get everything they need and make sure them go school every day, everything me buy get bun up. Only them clothes them had on and school bags get save… me nah know how me go able get back everything.. me and meh buddy work and put everything in this house now we nah get nothing left” she related amidst sobs. The family is seeking help as they contemplate their next move. Persons desirous of assisting can contact them on +592 664-8793.