while no one was inside.Dover

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The occupants of a Melanie Damishana residence on the East Coast of Demerara are grateful for the assistance of their neighours in saving their Lot 183 house from complete destruction by fire late yesterday afternoon.The neighbours formed a bucket brigade and some risked injury to put out the blaze which threatened the home of Juliet Dover and her nephew, businessman, Kwesi Sampson.The fire reportedly started in the front bedroom of the single flat house, while no one was inside.Dover, recalled that at around 17:30 hours, she was in their shop which is situated in front of the house, when her grandson who was talking to some neighbours at the fence alerted her to the fire.  A neighbour to the northern side of the house also saw the fire and she too raised an alarm.Dover said that she left the shop and went into the house, only to see that the fire was already on the roof of the house in the first bedroom.“When I got to the door and I saw the fire, I remember they say that if the fire is on the roof it could cave in, if it’s on the floor, you stand a chance, so I ran out,” Dover told Kaieteur News.She said that she alerted her nephew who was in front of the yard who was unaware at the time that there was a fire.  Neighbours who were in the nearby vicinity, rushed to the family’s assistance and they first managed to save a motorcar that was parked in the yard.  “They told us to break the car glass and push it out on the road because nobody could have gone into the house for the keys,” Dover said.  More neighbours joined in and together they formed a bucket brigade and began outing the fire.“Some of the fellas went up on the roof and try pouring water in order to out it, that’s before the fire service arrived,” the woman stated.Kaieteur News understands that a fire tender from the city arrived on the scene about 30 minutes after the blaze started.Dover could not say what started the fire but she informed that investigators promised to return today to determine the origin.She was thankful to her neighbours who helped to save some other household articles including a refrigerator.  “I am very grateful to all the neighbours of Melanie Damishana who came out fearless to help us to get the fire under control, because they got it under control before the fire service got here. Even some of the females even volunteered to come and help clean up, which I’m so grateful for, they are so loving,” Dover said.Apart from the extensive damage to the house, the family lost beds, a television set, computer, wardrobe and a significant amount of clothing.“I want to give thanks because everybody turn out and help. I give praise to God because is only one room really burn and the rest just scorch. I give thanks man, life goes on,” said Kwesi Sampson.