WHAT was meant to be a day of celebration quickly turned into heartbreak for a family in Good Hope, Region Two, after an early morning fire left ten persons homeless, and a 74-year-old grandmother hospitalised.
Around 02:10 hours on Saturday, the family’s Eid observances were abruptly disrupted when flames engulfed two homes on the rented property. The fire, reportedly set by a mentally ill relative, spread rapidly, leaving little time to save belongings.
At the centre of the tragedy is pensioner Nermea Haliman, who was alone in her home when the incident began. Her cries for help alerted nearby relatives, who rushed to her aid. In a desperate attempt to save her life, family members urged the frightened elderly woman to jump to safety as the fire intensified.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes, everything went, just tears flowing and we don’t know our next move, this is so sad”, Merlyn Gomes said.
Though shaken, relatives expressed relief that no children were injured. However, the emotional toll remains heavy, as the family now faces the reality of starting over with nothing.
At the time of the incident, the household’s main breadwinner was on duty as a security guard at the Good Hope Nursery School, unaware of the unfolding disaster.
“I am so sad and broken, I ran to save my old mother and I am glad she was, but everything went up in flames, our fridge, our stove, bed, mattresses, all documents… everything”, Mohamed Haliman said.
Despite the swift response from the Guyana Fire Service, both houses were completely destroyed in the yard.
In the aftermath, support has begun to pour in. The Good Hope/Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) had stepped in to provide grocery assistance, offering a small measure of relief as the displaced family begins to rebuild their lives.
The family is urging the general public to assist in helping them in rebuilding their home after they lost everything. The family will be staying at a relative’s home in the meantime.
The suspect remains at large and investigations are ongoing.
