A family of six at Cotton Field, Region Two is now faced with the uphill task of having to start all over again after their house was completely gutted by fire on Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 1.30 pm. Six persons occupied the house including a one-month-old baby.

It is believed that a child playing with matches caused the fire.

According to Sheik Rahaman of Cotton Field High-Level Dam, he was not at home when the fire started. He said that when he was told he quickly ran home and watched helplessly as his house was engulfed in fire.

“I lost everything, my motorcycle, a generator, fridge, pots, beds, clothing everything went, like I don’t know what to say, this is all me hard earned money, I do trench cleaning as a living, it’s so hard now I have been living here for 22 years,” Rahaman lamented.

Meanwhile, his wife, Tracy Devellier, is still trying to come to grips with the entire situation. She said that her daughter-in-law was the one who informed her of the incident. A month-old baby was in the house when it was on fire however the daughter-in-law managed run inside and get her baby.

“My wife ran in for our baby, we saw the fire, this is all we had. We poor and we do work to make ends meet, all our baby food, clothing, everything gone” Safraz Rahaman related.

Neighbours saw the fire and immediately called the Anna Regina Fire Station however by the time firefighters arrived, everything was already burnt. They still however, managed to put the fire out. The family has to now look to rebuilding their house. They said that their losses amount to over $10 million.

Persons wishing to assist the family can contact them at 693-6619.