Cynthia Persaud

An 82-year-old woman was Monday night killed and several others homeless as a result of two separate fires.

The dead woman has been identified as Cynthia Persaud. Fire officials say fire destroyed that house at Bamboo Drive, Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara.  They say the blaze may have started when a lit kerosene stove fell over.

According to information reaching Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com), the octogenarian was frail in body and had been living alone for decades. No water, electricity nor any other utility was connected to the bottom flat where she lived.    

Efforts from a bucket brigade failed to save the apartment from being gutted.

Persaud's apartment

And  eight persons, including six children, were earlier Monday rendered homeless after a man burnt down the house in which they were living at 69 Sea Dam Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

Investigators were told that 36-year old Nigel Armstrong around noon visited his reputed wife, Virginia 'Sharon' Samuels and threatened to burn down their house. 

By 2:30 PM she received a call that the building was on fire.

Armstrong was arrested and later allegedly sprinted away from police but was subsequently rearrested.