91-Year-Old Man Rescued from Blaze by Neighbors
A devastating fire that consumed a wooden house at Lot 37 Durban Street in Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, on Wednesday morning has left pensioner Eldon Gaskin injured and homeless. The fire, which began around 09:00h, rapidly spread, threatening multiple properties. Fortunately, neighbors acted quickly, rescuing the 91-year-old Gaskin, who relies on a cane for mobility and has visibility challenges.
Despite their efforts, Gaskin suffered burns and is currently receiving medical treatment in a city hospital. Several other elderly residents were also saved from nearby homes that were damaged by the flames. One resident recounted the harrowing experience, saying, “It was like life flashed before me.”
Among those affected was Naudia Gravesande, a resident whose home was scorched in the inferno. Gravesande, who was home on sick leave at the time, described the moment she realized something was wrong. “I was relaxing when I started hearing glass shattering,” she recalled. Initially dismissing it, she eventually checked her back door and saw nothing unusual. However, upon peeping through a window, she saw flames engulfing a nearby house and realized the imminent danger.
In a panic, she called her brother, a fire officer, to alert emergency responders. “I ran outside, called my brother for help, and then the ambulance and fire trucks arrived. They worked on my building first before tackling the main fire,” she explained.
The blaze not only destroyed Gaskin’s home but also scorched three other buildings occupied by elderly residents. In one instance, neighbors had to break down a fence to rescue a 74-year-old woman whose escape route was blocked by flames. Another pensioner renting a ground-floor apartment recounted how her lights flickered just before she smelled smoke. Initially thinking it was a power issue, she turned off her lights, only to discover that a house in front of hers was already engulfed in flames. As she rushed outside, she was guided to safety by neighbors.
Gravesande estimated the damage to her property at approximately $1.5 million, stating, “Our water tanks! All three of them were destroyed. The pipes were damaged, and the building was scorched.” This traumatic experience has left her emotionally shaken. “I’ve always heard people say their heart pained, and today I think I felt that for the first time,” she admitted.
“It was really scary. It was like life flashed before you in a split second. I could have lost everything. I was panting for breath, unable to catch myself. It was truly terrifying,” she added.
Firefighters made valiant efforts to contain the blaze, but significant damage had already occurred by the time they arrived. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire.
