Hundreds of millions of dollars went up in flames today as a massive fire destroyed the Regent Household Electronics Store on Regent Street in the heart the city’s commercial zone.
The Fire Service was alerted just after 1pm as smoke was seen billowing in the top floor of the massive three-storey building, which housed several shopping departments and a bond.
When News Source arrived on the scene, heavy smoke was seen at the top of the building, as nearby businesses shut down their doors.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Dwayne Scotland told reporters that the Guyana Fire Service received a report of the fire just after 1pm and arrived at the scene within five minutes.
“Currently, we have seven vehicles on the ground. We would have surrounded the fire, and so far we have extinguished the fire but we are mopping up,” Scotland explained.
During the early stages of the more than 3-hour long fire fighting operation, the firefighters activated a hydraulic platform, but it was not put into use. Scotland explained that the Fire Service decided against using the platform out of concern for the safety of firefighters.
“When we would have elevated the hydraulic platform we would have realized that the space for us to put a firefighter in the bucket to carry out firefighting operation would have been dangerous to the firefighters’ health that is why we had to desist from that and continue with our firefighting appliances,” the Deputy Chief Fire Officer explained.
He made it clear that the hydraulic platform did not malfunction, although it was being repeatedly examined.
The Fire Officer said while sections of the building collapsed before the entire building was gutted, the fire service successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings.
“The western end of the building would have collapsed, even though that has happened, we have still contained the fire to the one building. So, there is no threat of fire spreading to other buildings,” he said.
Scotland said during the operation, the Guyana Water Incorporated increased the water capacity, which assisted the fire fighters.
Owner of the gutted business place, Shaheed Hamid, said all of his workers made it out of the building and are safe. He said this was the second major fire over the years at his business place.
City Mayor Alfred Mentore, said he was pleased that the fire was restricted to the one building and nearby buildings were saved.
“I must commend the fire police or the fire people for containing this fire to at least one building. There was also a small building here but at least it was kept within a small square and they have done a fabulous job to have been able to contain it. Because there are many other persons here who felt very nervous,” the Mayor said.
Acknowledging that the fire will affect businesses in the area, Mayor Mentore said the Georgetown Municipality is prepared to lend whatever support it can.
General Manager at Bransrite Electrical Store, Ian Jack said his business is located just next door to the where the fire started, and he was nervous.
“It was a bit scary. It was a bit scary. We were up soaking the top. Well, the firefighters did a great job. They contained the fire to one building and they were working all around, they were soaking from the back and the side,” Jack said.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. A full investigation has been launched.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login