With the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) under scrutiny over whether it could have saved the Sharon’s Mall building, which was gutted on Wednesday evening, Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo yesterday said fire-fighters did their best.
The building, located at 154 Charlotte and King streets was gutted by a fire hours after the GFS had responded to a report of smoke emanating from the building, resulting in millions in losses by several businesses that had been housed there and the loss of many jobs.
The period between when the smoke was first detected and when the building was engulfed by flames has prompted questions about the fire service’s response.
When contacted by Stabroek News, Edoo stated that the fire service did an excellent job in containing the fire to the building, particularly given its magnitude.
Saying that from the initial stage to the aftermath firefighters did their best, Edoo noted that they were challenged by the fact that the building was a “complicated” one, while almost every business housed therein was grilled, preventing them from properly accessing all areas.
He said that the entire building was smoke-logged, which made it difficult to ascertain where exactly the smoke was coming from. As a result, he said it made no sense to spray water on the smoke without getting to the crux of the fire.
Edoo added that the smoke was so intense that it became stifling. He subsequently disclosed that six fire-fighters suffered minor injuries and that two have since been sent on sick leave to recover.
Stabroek News was unable to contact the owners of the building. But Quency Smith, the building’s Maintenance and Security Officer, yesterday said he believed that the fire service could have done more to save the building.
Smith was present when the smoke first started emanating from a vent on the second floor.
He recalled that at about 5.15 pm on Wednesday a tenant informed him of the smoke. He initially thought the tenant was making a joke but decided to inquire nevertheless. He made his way to the second floor and observed that smoke was coming through one of the vents. He then made his way to the third floor to inquire if smoke was coming from any of the offices there but he did not see any signs of smoke.
Smith shared that he immediately made his way back downstairs to turn off the breakers, cutting the current in the entire building and later made his way up again to inform the persons who were in the building to leave.
He noted that it was attorney Dexter Todd, who had an office in the building, who made a call to the Fire Chief and within four minutes three fire trucks arrived on the scene.
The man said he took the firefighters to where he first saw the smoke but was unable to say what was done after by the firemen.
Smith stated that he sent a picture to the owner of the building, who was later informed by an officer present at the scene that they had the situation under control.
The man explained that around 6pm on Wednesday the smoke began spreading, which somewhat baffled him and shortly after the building was engulfed by flames.
The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday said that while the fire is said to be of electrical origin, a detailed fire report will ultimately determine the true cause of the fire and loss of the building.
In a statement, the Ministry reminded the public of the need for the installation of smoke detectors, fire alarms, extinguishers and other fire appliances.
Importantly, it advised that riser mains with hoses and fire sprinkler systems be installed in buildings over two stories high. Building inspections for electrical and fire safety compliance are mandatory for such buildings and must be diligently pursued, it added.
Losses
Up to yesterday, firefighters were still dousing the building as some store owners, surrounded by family and staff, looked on helplessly.
Shenelle King, who operated a business called Coffee House, was brought to tears as she reflected on the loss of her only source of income.
King was not at the mall when the fire started but she was alerted by another tenant. She saw a video of the fire and thought it looked small so she was surprised by how large it became. She, too, believed that the building could have been saved.
The woman took over the business last June after buying out her previous employer. She only recently registered the business, which had three workers.
King, who said she has possibly suffered over a million dollars in losses due to the fire, is expected to meet with family members on the way forward as she was unable to say what would be next for her.
Another tenant, Natasha Rafferty, who operated the Step in Style boutique, also lost her only source of income with the fire.
The woman, who had been operating for exactly two months, returned to the scene after the fire had started and she thought it did not look too “bad.” However, she later heard an explosion that sent everyone running as the fire gutted the building.
Ramona Rookhum, an attorney who operated a law office on the third floor of the mall, told this newspaper that she was present in the building when the fire started. The attorney stated that they were unaware that there was a fire since they were no fire alarms or sprinkler system in place to serve as an indication of a fire or any visible fire extinguishers in the hallway.
The woman said she was told to evacuate the building. She noted that after entering the corridors, there was some amount of smoke present on the third floor and everyone was exiting.
The woman said the firemen were already present in the building in active preparation for their task at that point.
Rookhum stated that she is grateful that everyone was able to leave safely and that no one was hurt.
However, she noted that it is devastating and a big financial loss, which will require that she restart.
She revealed her main concern is the loss of documents, including originals that may be irreplaceable.
Meanwhile, the nearby Mayor and City Council remained closed yesterday in light of the smoke emanating from the ruins of the building. In a press release, it was announced that all of the offices will be opened today, April 30, 2021 as per the normal working hours.
