A fire of unknown origin yesterday afternoon gutted a partially-destroyed, abandoned building at Waterloo Street, Georgetown but quick action by the Guyana Fire Service prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings.
Reports are that the fire started around 3.15pm at the Lot 160 Waterloo Street, Georgetown structure, which has been unoccupied for a number of years.
Residents said yesterday’s occurrence was the second to have transpired within two days.
On Tuesday, they said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) had to be summoned after a fire erupted at the location.
It remains unclear how the fire might have started. However, a fire official told Stabroek News that the Guyana Fire Service was informed of the incident and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause.
Maria David, explained to this newspaper that she was watching television when she smelt something burning. “So I came outside now, I open the door but I didn’t see anything. So I go back inside,” she said.
David said she then checked in a bedroom where her mother was sleeping, to determine whether it was the electric fan. “I went inside the room to see if the fan is smelling but it wasn’t the fan. But when I come outside back now and went watching the movie, I start smell it more and more. So I peep outside again and then is when I see the big smoke,” she added.
She said she immediately raised an alarm and contacted the GFS.
“Since yesterday (Tuesday) this fire start. The fire service come and they out it and now again…” David said.
Meanwhile, another resident vented her anger about the situation, while noting that she is fearful the fire might erupt again. “They need to investigate it because they need to know who did it. People got things to lose around hay”, she said.
