CHILD PLAYING WITH MATCHES SETS HOUSE ON FIRE IN REGION 5

A West Coast Berbice family of five is now homeless after their home was completely destroyed by fire at about 16: 30 hours on Friday.

Divisional Fire Officer, Clive McDonald told MTV News Update that a preliminary investigation has discovered that a child was playing with matches that ignited combustible materials and spread throughout the building.

One of the occupants, 28-year-old Leon Omar received burns to his body while trying to save items from the building. He was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he is receiving medical attention.

Meanwhile, another fire took place at No. 8 village West Coast Berbice where a small structure that could be referred to as a “shack” suffered minor damage according to the divisional fire officer. He said the three persons who were occupying the building were not at home at the time of the fire which started at about 11:30 hours.

McDonald disclosed that a number of household articles suffered damage from the blaze which was extinguished by neighbours before the fire tenders arrived on the scene. He confirmed that the cause of the fire was electrical.