A Berbice man was pronounced dead at the New Amsterdam Hospital late Sunday night, moments after he was pulled from his fire-damaged home.
Dead is Martin Lindie of Trinity Street, New Amsterdam.

According to reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the man had alerted his neighbour to the fire around 23:00 hrs and reportedly told her to pick up her children and run.

His cousin, Nichola Luther, told Berbice reporters, on Monday, that the man had recently gotten divorced and the house where the fire occurred was in dispute. Both parties, she said, had a vested interest in the property which housed a play school in the lower flat.

Nichola told the media that the house was secured with iron grills fitted with padlocks and that it would appear that Martin was trapped after he was unable to find his keys to open the padlocks. His lifeless body was found behind the door

Nichola, who is the manager of Cool Ride Taxi Service, said that after being informed about the fire, she rushed to the scene which is located a few streets away. She said upon arrival, she asked the firemen to open the door but was told that they could not do so until the arrival of the police.

“But, a life was at stake so the boys broke the door so as to rescue Martin. The body was partially burnt. Apparently, he was asleep as he was partially dressed. He was taken to the hospital where the doctor said there was no pulse,” she recalled.

The woman is calling for a thorough investigation to be done.