Nov 4, 2026
3 min read
A family of four has been left homeless after fire destroyed their home at Zorg en Hoop, Blairmont Village, West Bank Berbice, on Monday night.
The fire, of unknown origin, broke out around 11:30pm at Lot 100. It destroyed the family's household belongings and about $200,000 in cash, and killed more than 100 chickens on the same property.
The home was occupied by Bishram Jaglal, a factory worker at Blairmont Estate; his wife, who works part-time with the Government; and their two children, aged eight and three.
Jaglal said he was outside with his brother and cousin when one of them noticed the house on fire. The family tried to save what they could but could not get in, as flames had already engulfed the interior.
"We tried to go save the thing, to go up to the door. We can't open the door because the whole inside done get fire," he said.
Two beds, a refrigerator, a microwave, a washing machine, a bicycle, a pantry, a three-piece suite and other personal belongings were destroyed.
Jaglal said the family is staying temporarily with his mother and has little left to start over with.
"Right now me don't have no money... The only money that me have was $200,000 in, burn up inside the house. Nothing more I don't have," he said.
He could not say what caused the fire. The house was locked when they went outside, and the property was not connected to the regular electricity supply and used only solar lights, he said.
Jaglal's mother, Surujdai Juglall, who lives in another house in the same yard, said she and her husband had gone to bed after he returned from work at around 10pm. She heard unusual noises, looked outside and saw flames coming from the side wall of her son's house.
"And then when we run out, the fire start from the dam, from the side wall and they couldn't make it to go in, I started to holler," she said.
Juglall said she raised an alarm and called on neighbours for help as the flames spread rapidly. She initially had difficulty reaching the relevant authorities but was directed to call 911.
By the time firefighters arrived, her son's house had been completely destroyed. The fire service saved her own home, which is now providing temporary shelter for the family.
Juglall said she was relieved her son and other relatives were outside when the fire started. Her daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were not at home at the time.
"And I study that if my son was in there, I would have lost a son today," she said.
She also lost more than 100 chickens, which died from the intense heat. The birds were almost at market age, and another batch was about three weeks from being ready.
People wishing to assist the family can contact them on 654-8762 or 740-7189.
