(Kaieteur News) – A Plantation Hope, West Coast Berbice family of five is picking up the pieces after a devastating fire reduced their home to rubble and government officials were among the first to answer their call for help.

Just one day after the blaze, Minister of Education Sonia Parag led a delegation to the gutted property on Friday, accompanied by Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Mary Samaroo and Regional Vice-Chairman Kleon Lindey, to personally assess the damage and pledge assistance to the shaken family.

Thursday’s fire broke out at approximately 10:00 AM, tearing through the two-storey wooden and concrete structure in a matter of minutes. The home, which had stood for roughly 20 years, belonged to Jasoda (only name), the mother of resident Dhanraj Arnold, 32.