Sharmilla Seetaram, 39, of Sister’s Village, East Bank Berbice, is grappling with an unimaginable loss after a devastating fire consumed her home on Monday night.
The two-storey house, which Sharmilla shares with her niece, nephew, cousin, and baby, was engulfed in flames. They are now left homeless and without any of their possessions.
A house next door was also destroyed; a third house was damaged.
The News Room understands that the incident occurred sometime around 18:00 hrs, when Sharmilla and her family were sitting downstairs.
Sharmilla Seetaram
“Me, my mother, my sister, my niece, and my baby were sitting when we heard people on the culvert shouting, ‘Fire!’
“My cousin was in the hammock, and when my nephew ran up, everyone said to pull off the main switch,” she said
The fire reportedly started in the front room, spreading rapidly through the ceiling. The family rushed outside, but Sharmilla ran back upstairs in an attempt to save what she could from their home. However, she was stopped by others who urged her to leave the building for her safety.
“The boys told me, ‘You go down, you go down,” she said.
Realising the situation was beyond their control, the family evacuated the premises. Unfortunately, by the time the fire service arrived, the house had been destroyed, and the fire had spread to two neighbouring buildings.
Sharmilla and her family are now faced with the challenge of finding a place to stay and rebuilding their lives. They have received support from relatives who have opened their homes to them temporarily.
“The next step is to seek a place to stay, that’s it…but for now, the family’s told us to stay and that we are welcome, including my mother,” Sharmilla said, grateful for the kindness extended to them.
Those who wish to help Sharmilla and her family rebuild can reach out directly to her at 632-3383.
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