Quick action from the fire department saved the Forrester’s Lodge building, at Camp and New Market streets, from complete destruction last night.
Some time around 9.30pm, Camp Street residents noticed smoke and then flames coming from the rear of the three-storey building. The origin of the blaze is unknown.
Owner of the building Gerald Neblett told reporters last night that just before 10pm he received a telephone call informing him that the building was on fire. The man was puzzled when asked whether he had any idea what could have started the fire. Neblett explained that from the reports he had received, the fire started in the rear of the building. This, according to him, is where records are kept and there was no electrical equipment in that section of the building.
Neblett noted that the building also housed the Adult Education Centre on its middle floor. Just recently, he said, renovations were done to the building. The first and second floors are made of concrete and the third floor and rear of the building is wooden.
When Stabroek News arrived at the scene shortly before 10pm, fire fighters were already present and a small crowd had gathered. The streets surrounding the location had been cordoned off by police and two fire tenders were on location.
Approximately an hour after reports were received fire fighters were able to completely quell the blaze, saving most of the structure. The back of the building was scorched while the second floor sustained heavy internal damage. Furniture, records and other miscellaneous equipment were damaged.
