FOUR families are now counting their losses after a fire destroyed their Lot “C” Louisa Row, Wortmanville, Georgetown house on Friday, due to children playing with matches.

“It was determined that the fire was the result of children left unattended playing with matches which ignited nearby combustibles and spread to the entire apartment,” the Guyana Fire Service stated on Saturday.

According to the Fire Service, “immediate action and expert firefighting” resulted in the minimisation of damage on Friday, to the two-storey timber and concrete building owned by Malinda Prescott and operated as an apartment complex.”

Water tenders from the Central and West Ruimveldt fire stations were dispatched to the location.

Apartment one, located on the eastern half of the ground floor, was occupied by 48-year-old Simone Moe and her family of three. As a result of the fire, this apartment was slightly damaged by smoke and water.

However, apartment two, which was located on the western half of the ground floor, and occupied by 37-year-old Candacy Lowe and her family of three were destroyed, leaving the family homeless.

Similarly, apartment three, which was located on the eastern half of the top floor, was occupied by 35-year-old Khari George and her family of three, and was slightly damaged by smoke and water.

Apartment four, located on the western half of the top floor, was occupied by 47-year-old Neil Reynolds and his family of four. As a result of the fire, this apartment and its contents were severely damaged.