The Liana Cane furniture factory was reduced to ashes in a mysterious fire yesterday morning.
The fire reportedly started at 3.50 am and gutted several buildings in the factory compound at 1-5 Victoria Road, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara.
The origin of the fire is yet to be determined by investigators but it is suspected that it may be electrical in origin.
The factory produced eco-friendly furniture through the use of vines sourced from Guyana’s interior, rather than lumber.
Stabroek News was told that guards on the premises had noticed the flames emanating from a section of the factory and sounded an alarm. Many neighbours who were awakened by the alarm and the intense heat generated by the flames went to the scene and formed a bucket brigade to help put out the fire.
They were later assisted by the fire tenders from the Guyana Fire Service.
According to Jocelyn Dow, Managing Director and founder of the company, by the time she got to the site after being alerted, the buildings were engulfed and firefighters were battling to put out the flames. She noted that they had difficulties sourcing water.
According to Dow, the fire service kept going back and forth for water while using three trucks and the water cannon in order to put the fire out. She, however, commended the service for its valiant efforts, which saved neighbouring buildings. She also stated that she is satisfied with the work done by the firefighters as they had many constraints. “They had no gloves and they didn’t have much water but they did a good job when they started…,” she added.
The company, which began operations in 1995, employed approximately 35 persons at the factory.
Asked about the way forward, Dow said she is awaiting a report from the fire service and her insurer.
She pointed out that it is her hope that the company would be able to rebuild in the near future. “You can’t only look at building back the buildings but you have to look at regaining the machines as well…,” she noted.
She stated that new machinery that was supposed to be added to the production line was also destroyed.
Previously, the business suffered huge losses due to the Great Flood of 2005, which required that it secure new machinery.
Dow also stated that while the company was looking to promote local furniture, it was also focused on teaching youths a skill to keep them off the streets.
She noted too that they wanted youths to be proud of something that they had built with their hands and which was of international quality.
