Gallons of diesel flowed from an unknown source through the drains along Croal, Water, America and Longden streets yesterday morning resulting in a mad rush by residents to collect some.
At approximately 11 am yesterday vendors and other citizens in the vicinity noticed the liquid gushing through the drains and upon closer investigation discovered it was fuel. A large number of individuals flocked the area with containers to collect the substance and dipped what they could from the drains.
Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Robert Williams, in an invited comment last evening told this newspaper that he had not, up to then, been informed of the location from which the diesel leak originated.
However, he said the leak is suspected to have come from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) or one of the other businesses located within its vicinity.
“Yes, there was a fuel spill in that area this morning but I still do not know from where the diesel was coming but it is suspected to be coming from a building that operates a heavy duty generator,” Williams explained.
Further, the Deputy Mayor informed this newspaper that by 1 pm yesterday ranks from the Police Force, City Constabulary and Fire Service, and officials from the Guyana Energy Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were present. Technicians, Williams said, were sent to inspect buildings in the area in an effort to determine where the leak had originated.
When this newspaper contacted the Stabroek branch of KFC it was informed that the manager, Mahendra Persaud, was on the roof with technicians inspecting the building. Other business owners and managers in the area refused to comment.
“The only place in this block that got a heavy duty generator and that does store plenty diesel is KFC,” a business owner, who operates to the north of the fast food restaurant, said.
The source of the leakage should be known by today, Williams said. Meanwhile, technicians will be inspecting the area until it is discovered.