Incense stick fire destroys Charity home, leaves four homeless

Four persons were left homeless after a fire destroyed their two-storey timber home at David James Scheme, Adam’s Creek, Charity on Sunday morning.

The Guyana Fire Service said the blaze was caused by carelessness after a diya and incense stick were lit inside the home. The emergency call was received at 09:17 hrs, and firefighters responded within two minutes, arriving on the scene at 09:20 hrs. The fire was brought under control by 10:10 hrs.

The building, measuring approximately 9 metres by 6 metres, was constructed of timber and clad with corrugated metal sheets. It was owned and occupied by 38-year-old Deodat Maniram and also housed Sharima Maniram, 38, along with Tammy Maniram, 10, and Davin Maniram, 8.

Investigations revealed that Sharima Maniram had lit a diya and incense stick at an altar before going downstairs. She later observed that curtains had caught fire, which quickly spread throughout the structure.

Despite the efforts of firefighters, the house was completely destroyed.