Three children die in Barnwell fire

Three children under the age of 10 perished in a fire this morning at Barnwell, aback Mocha on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Acting Fire Chief Gregory Wickham told Stabroek News that from all indications the trio were home alone at the time of the fire. The fire occurred sometime after 1 am.

Wickham said the fire service was summoned to the scene at around 1.25 am. He noted that due to the deplorable state of the road to get to area, the fire tenders were unable to effectively respond.

He said the fire trucks from Diamond, EBD and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown were forced to stop some distance away from the scene.

He said that when fire-fighters got to the scene, the one-flat wooden house was already engulfed and it was only after the fire was put out and investigators combed the scene that the charred remains of the children were found.

The origin of the fire at this time remains unknown and investigators from the fire service are currently on the scene.