A 39-year-old clerk attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital is counting her losses after the two-storey wooden house she rented at Lot 22 Palmyra was destroyed by fire on Tuesday shortly after 6pm.
Ayana Johnson has been occupying the property for more than five years. She said the fire occurred after she had left the house to visit a friend.
Speaking with Ignite News, Johnson struggled to come to terms with the loss, as she recounted that she had returned home from work only to change out of her work clothing before heading back out.
“I came in from work, changed my clothes, and left because a friend from overseas came. I didn’t want to go there in my working clothes,” she explained.
Johnson said that as she was leaving, she noticed men carrying out electrical work on a utility pole near the property. She said she had no idea anything was wrong until she was on her way returning home, when she noticed fire trucks speeding past.
“When I was coming out, some men were on the post doing electrical work. I jumped on my bike and left to go by my friend. I saw the fire truck passing and I didn’t know what was going on. Then I saw smoke coming from this side, and I was wondering what was happening. When I got closer, the street was congested with traffic.”
The shocking reality only hit her when she reached the entrance to her street.
“When I came into the street, I realised it was my place. I could have come home and gone to sleep. I could have gone to sleep and gotten burned up in the fire.”
She noted that the yard behind the property is open and accessible from the public road, adding that she is uncertain how the fire started.
Johnson also recalled experiencing electrical issues at the property sometime ago, after workers from Guyana Power and Light (GPL) had previously carried out work on the utility pole servicing the house.
“I had to keep calling because only this house had no electricity. Eventually, a team came and restored the power,” she said.
When asked whether she had left any electrical appliances plugged in before leaving, Johnson said she barely spent any time inside the house.
“I didn’t spend no time in the house. It was just run in, run out.”
The fire destroyed all of her belongings, including two bedroom sets, wardrobes, a vanity, chairs, a music system, televisions, a refrigerator, microwave, washing machine, gas stove, electric kettle, toaster and other household items.
Persons wishing to assist Ayana Johnson can contact her directly on 676-9882.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
