A suspected act of arson has left 11 Golconda residents homeless, days before Christmas.The fire broke out about 8 am yesterday in a duplex at Phase One, Ridgewood Gardens, Golconda, owned by Asha Ramroop and Gerard Burke.Ramroop lived with her six children and two grandchildren in one apartment, while Burke lived in the other apartment with his wife, Diane.The Burkes were not at home when the fire started.
Police said Ramroop's daughter, Samantha, and her two children, Alex, three, and Emmanuel, four, were asleep in the apartment when the fire started upstairs. Samantha grabbed the children and ran out of the house screaming for help. Schoolboys Kareem Sahadeosingh and Christian Chatoor who were doing construction work with their cousin Narin Sahadeosingh close by, heard Samantha's screams and grabbed a garden hose.
"When we got there smoke was coming from the windows. Then we heard an explosion," Chatoor said.Narin said he pulled out the gas tank to prevent further explosions.By the time the firefighters arrived, the flames had already spread to the Burke's apartment.Ramroop, who was at work, arrived moments after the fire started. She said she and her family had been living in fear for months after a relative threatened to firebomb their home.
"Ever since I moved in here, we getting trouble with the people who live around here. We have a matter in court because they came and break up all the windows in the house," Ramroop said.She said a few months ago they had another dispute with a relative and threats to burn down the house were made."I went to the Ste Madeleine police but they never investigated. They said they not taking any reports," Ramroop wept.
During the interview Ramroop collapsed. Two neighbours lifted her up and placed her to sit on a bench. When she was revived, Ramroop said she had already made all preparations for Christmas."I did my shopping, I bought new decorations. All I had to do was wrap up those gifts for the children," she cried.She denied the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. Ramroop said when she left for work yesterday morning nothing was lighting in the house.
"I did not cook. All I did was some laundry and I took off the plugs. This is not an electrical fire," she added.Fire Prevention Officers were expected to return to the scene yesterday. Officials from Housing Development Corporation also did investigations.ontacted yesterday, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said he would send a team to see what assistance could be given to the displaced families.