South Oropouche has two new heroes.
Prakash Harrinarine, 25, of Dehli Road, Fyzabad and Amrit Butkoon, 23, of Kuldip Trace, St John's Road, Avocat risked their lives to save 67-year-old Kaloutie Maharaj from her burning house yesterday morning.
According to reports, around 8.20 am, Maharaj, 67, of was awoken by a crackling sound, only to see that her home was on fire. Harrinarine and Butkoon, hearing her desperate cries for help, rushed into the house, searched for her and eventually pulled her out.
All three were taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where they were treated for burns to the hands and feet.
Maharaj remained in the stable condition, but police said Harrinarine was severely burned. Butkoon was treated and discharged.
Both men sustained burn injuries in the rescue effort, as fire was raging around the entire upper level of the two-storey house.
Fire tenders from the Siparia Fire Station put out the fire, saving the lower storey of the house, where Maharaj's brother lives. Police said the concrete house was not insured and the cause and estimated value of losses is yet to be ascertained.
Cpl Sandyford of the Oropouche Police Station is continuing investigations.