THE Guyana Fire Service is currently investigating the circumstances that led to two fires which occurred in Linden and Essequibo.

The fires have claimed the lives of four people, including two children. At approximately 23:45 hours on Monday evening, a fire was reported to the Linden Fire Station.
Upon arrival at the Silvertown address, firefighters saw a two-storey house engulfed in flames and smoke.

Meanwhile, around 17:20 hours on Tuesday morning, another fire was reported at Good Hope, Essequibo.

Despite firefighters’ best efforts, both buildings and their contents were destroyed by the time the fires were extinguished.
It was also subsequently discovered that four people had died— two at each location— as a result of the two fires.

“We are working assiduously to gather all the necessary details surrounding these two incidents and will update accordingly as soon as the information becomes available,” the Guyana Fire Service said.

The victims in the Linden fire were identified as 12-year-old Eikeila Adams and her aunt, Cheryl Moore.
The fire in Essequibo claimed the lives of 34-year-old Susan La Cruz and her seven-year-old son, Isha Wilson.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, visited the family of La Cruz and her son, and expressed his sincere condolences for the loss.

He urged all residents to take precautionary measures to help in the prevention of such disasters, which can cause severe emotional and psychological distress.
The two-storey house which La Cruz and her son occupied was owned by Ilene Wilson; however, her two sons Andrew and Linden occupied the house with their families.
The Guyana Chronicle understands that five occupants of the home were able to escape unharmed.

Neighbours are said to be in shock after witnessing the raging fire. A visibly distraught neighbour of the victims, Arlene Burnette, said she saw the blaze which “was out of control.”
She said that she started to scream because she was thinking what would happen to the children who were living there.

“Oh God, I was so worried… the fire, it was so much out of control… I keep walking up and down I can’t understand how this happen,” Burnette said.
La Cruz’s mother, Savitri Boodlall described her daughter as a loving person who took good care of her children.
“My daughter was living in the lower flat with her children, and she was so loving… I can’t believe this,” Boodlall said.