A section of the dilapidated Stabroek Market wharf went up in flames just before midnight and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said it is being treated as arson.
Thee fire consumed the northwest corner of the wharf.
Fire-fighters succeeded in containing the blaze early this morning. It had engulfed a number of wooden stalls that occupy the already dilapidated structure.
As news of the fire spread, stall holders began to quickly congregate on the scene out of fear of the stalls being looted or destroyed.
The Head of the GFS, Marlon Gentle told Stabroek News today that information provided to the service pointed to arson.
According to the vendors despite their limitations the fire-fighters showed up promptly and worked hard. ‘If wasn’t for them this whole wharf de done,’ one vendor said.
There is also a cook shop behind where the fire occurred that has gas bottles and this probably aided the fire.
The wharf had seen two spectacular collapses and had been declared a hazard. Vendors were in the process of being relocated. The wharf is some distance from the market but there were fears this morning that the abundant combustible material could pose a severe threat.
City officials held an emergency meeting today to discuss the fire.
