While investigators continue to search for clues into the razing of the Comfort Sleep Factory, employees have started working shifts at another business of the owner.
The Comfort Sleep bond was destroyed about six weeks ago and within a month of that, fire destroyed the company’s factory at the Eccles Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara.
Workers yesterday told Stabroek News that management of the entity gave them the option to work at another business location but because of their numbers, hours had to be staggered. On the night of the fire, one worker had openly wept as she pondered how she would provide for her family given that it was so close to the end of the year and businesses were not hiring.
One employee expressed gratitude at the move, saying that while the salary earned was small it was certain and needed especially during the Christmas season. “Everybody get three days working here [a furniture store a short distance from the factory]. The money small but it sure… he coulda tell we, ‘look it burn and y’all gat to find work elsewhere’ but he ask if we want this and it working,” an employee said.
Stabroek News was told that the owner of the business was still shaken by the events and did not yet wish to speak on the issue.
Investigators believe that two fires that have hit the business establishment within one month may be the result of an inside job. “It looks like an inside job. We had questioned the guy (the owner of Comfort Sleep) and he didn’t say anything but that it looks like someone spiting him from within…,” a source close to the investigation told Stabroek News.
The Guyana Fire Service and Hand in Hand Insurance Company are still continuing investigations.
