Venezuelan woman arrested by Police
A fire of unknown origin at about 17:30 hrs yesterday (Sunday) at Bartica Arcade, Essequibo River, has destroyed a wooden cottage/house, property of 68-year-old Alfred Wyatt.
The destroyed building measured approximately 20ft in length by 15ft in width and had been abandoned by the owner, and was frequently inhabited by vagrants. It consisted of one bedroom and was mounted on 3ft concrete pillars.
According to Seeyone Lindore, a 45-year-old businessman of Bartica Arcade, at about 17:30 hrs, he was at the Arcade when he observed smoke emanating from the said building. He then observed one Carmen Cristina Ruiz, a Venezuelan national, running out of the yard whilst uttering: “It was an accident”.
Lindore raised an alarm and contacted the Police, and ranks immediately responded to the scene, as did the Guyana Fire Service, with Water Tender #98 and Water Bowser #11, which went into action and extinguished the fire. However, by that time, the building was completely destroyed.
Carmen Cristina Ruiz, who had decided to occupy the building, was contacted by the Police and questioned. She alleged that on 2023/08/20 at about 16:30hrs, she left Bartica Arcade and went to a Chinese Supermarket to purchase groceries, and on her return to the house, she observed the mattress on fire. Ruiz said she attempted to pull the mattress out of the house but was unable to do so as the fire quickly spread. She then ran to safety. No other buildings were damaged.
The house was not fitted with electricity, nor was it insured. The cost is unknown at this time. Carmen Cristina Ruiz is presently in custody, assisting with the investigation.
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