Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 27, 2013 News
The cause of Wednesday night’s fire at Islington, East Bank Berbice, which resulted in the death of 88-year-old physically handicapped Margaret London and left her 93-year-old sister, Olive, homeless, has not yet been ascertained.
Speculation is rife that a lighted lamp or candle may have been responsible, and investigators were back at the scene during the course of yesterday to get a clearer picture of what caused the blaze to rip through the Londons’ age-old three bedroom wooden house.
The two women lived alone and had no children and had refused to go and live with
relatives. The house was well furnished, a relative stated. Margaret London had suffered two bouts of stroke, leaving her almost entirely paralyzed and confined to a bed.
The fire reportedly began around 19:00 hrs and quickly engulfed the building. The Fire Service responded with two trucks .Water was eventually a problem and had to be sourced from a trench a little distance away.
Residents stated that the two elderly women would turn off the electricity and light lamps or candles as soon as evening breaks. They would sometimes be seen cooking late into the evening. One resident stated that ‘Sister Olive’ as she is known would be as late as 21:00 hrs (9 p.m.) cooking.
The woman, who would mostly take care of her stroke-stricken sister, stated that she had earlier taken off the lights and lit a candle and put it into her room, and then lit a lamp and was in the process of making something to eat when she felt intense heat, which turned out to be from flames emanating from the room.
A female resident who stated that she used to work with the Londons some time ago, remembered that when she was finished cleaning and cooking, she would make sure that she put away all the matches, but recalled that during the nights the women would get up and light a lamp or candle.
Fire fighters and police late Wednesday evening recovered the charred remains of the elderly woman under the bed inside one of the bedrooms. The body is currently at the Arokium Funeral Parlour awaiting an autopsy.
Olive London is at present living with a pastor, the same pastor who rescued her from the blaze until residents are able to find somewhere for her to move.
According to residents, the sisters have been living alone in the house for more than 75 years.
Investigations are continuing.
Jagdeo giving Exxon 102 cent to collect 2 cent.
Apr 25, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – The French Diplomatic Office in Guyana, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association and UNICEF, hosted an exhibition on Tuesday evening at the...Kaieteur News – Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, persists in offering... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]