In a devastating incident early this morning, a fire of unknown origin claimed the life of a woman in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
The victim, identified as Sharon Austin, 58, was trapped in her home on St. Magdalene Street when the flames engulfed the building.
Austin’s daughter, Brenda Johnson, recounted the heart-wrenching events.
She was awakened by her daughters’ screams, who were on the upper floor with Austin.
Upon investigation, Johnson discovered the upper flat ablaze.
Her sons acted heroically, rushing to rescue their sisters and grandmother.
Tragically, Austin became trapped in the building.
Despite reaching out to the nearby Guyana Fire Service, their response was delayed.
Faced with the urgency of the situation, Johnson personally visited the fire station.
By the time the fire tender arrived, the upper floor was already consumed by flames.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have originated near a clothes horse in the room shared by the deceased and her youngest granddaughter.
Both the Fire Department and the police are conducting a thorough investigation into this tragic incident.