An early afternoon fire today completely gutted four buildings at Grove, East Bank Demerara and scorched a fifth, leaving 29 people homeless and millions of dollars in damage.
The blaze reportedly started in a Chinese restaurant located in the bottom flat of Lot 5O Grove. The owner subsequently denied that the fire started when gas bottles in his business exploded. The businessman who identified himself at Louis said that the fire started by the back step.
He was the only person who managed to save items.
Hundreds flocked the road causing a heavy build-up in traffic as firefighters worked hard to contain the blaze.
In tears one of the victims said that 14 persons occupied her home. She lived above the Chinese restaurant. The woman said she heard shouts and when she looked the fire was already in her kitchen. She said she had to just run out and leave everything.
Residents said that the first fire engine arrived without water long after the blaze had started. Fire fighters had to source water from a trench in the area. Another tender arrived and managed to control the flames using leaking hoses.
Up to late yesterday afternoon police were still questioning the owner of the Chinese restaurant.
