Police in Regional Division #2, in collaboration with the Region’s Fire Service, are conducting an investigation into an early-morning fire that claimed the lives of Susan Bibi LaCruz, a 32-year-old housewife, and her 9-year-old son, Ilyas Wilson.
The devastating fire broke out around 5:00 AM this morning, completely destroying their two-story wooden and concrete residence in a fenced yard at Lot 12 Good Hope, Essequibo Coast. Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn visited the scene earlier today to assess the situation.
Initial information suggests that Susan Bibi LaCruz was suffering from a stroke. She occupied the upper floor of the two-story house, where she resided with her husband Andrew Wilson, a 68-year-old mechanic, and their three children, aged 13, 12, and 9. The lower flat was inhabited by Andrew’s 56-year-old brother, Linden Wilson, his 45-year-old wife, his 20-year-old daughter, and a two-year-old granddaughter.
Linden Wilson, recounting the tragic events of the morning, stated that around 5:00 AM, he was on the lower floor with his family when he was alerted by his 13-year-old nephew, Musa Wilson. Musa informed him of a fire in the upper flat. He then fled the building alone.
In response, Linden and his family quickly evacuated the lower apartment. He immediately entered the upper flat and encountered a massive fire in the middle of the house. He managed to rescue his 12-year-old niece from the middle room and ushered her to safety.
Tragically, Susan Bibi LaCruz and Ilyas Wilson were trapped in the front bedroom on the north-western side of the upper flat, unreachable due to the intense heat and flames. Linden Wilson and his family were forced to flee the building as the fire rapidly spread. Water Tender #88, led by Sub Officer Akeal Persaud and a team of twelve firemen, responded promptly to extinguish the fire, but the building was already beyond saving.
The charred remains of the two victims were discovered on the north-western side of the house. Their bodies were removed and transported to the mortuary at Suddie Public Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.
