A massive fire is raging through Mahdia’s main commercial district and latest reports say many businesses have been destroyed in the hill-top mining town in Region Eight.
There is no Fire Service in the remote Potaro/Siparuni community and an emotional Regional Chairman Senor Bell told Stabroek News by phone from the remote community this evening that residents are “helpless” and have basically given up. Businesses ranging from clothing stores, grocery shops and bars have been destroyed in the densely packed ‘Arcade’, reports say.
The fire started sometime between 6:30 pm and 7 pm and is suspected to be electrical in origin. Trucks were racing to downhill streams to get water but the fire continues to rage and exhausted residents are expecting more destruction. The ‘Arcade’, Mahdia’s business district is densely packed with wooden and zinc buildings.
Located in the heart of mining country, miners use Mahdia as a launching pad as they head into the goldfields.
Meanwhile, the Government Information Agency said that on receiving news of the fire at Mahdia President Bharrat Jagdeo immediately instructed Prime Minister Samuel Hinds to lead a team into the area tomorrow to assess the damage.
Following the assessments a report will be presented to the Head of State while he is in Jamaica for the 31st Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
