Investigators are probing a fire of unknown origin, which gutted two Bagot-ville, West Bank Demerara (WBD) buildings, including a supermarket early yesterday morning.
Reports are that the fire started around 5am and destroyed the Good Life supermarket situated at Lot 150 Bagotville, WBD. A baker shop which is situated behind the supermarket was also destroyed by the fire.
Both buildings are owned by Herman Faria, 67.
A Chinese couple operated the supermarket.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was summoned and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Faria explained to Stabroek News that he rented the supermarket about six years ago to the Chinese couple.
He said he received a call yesterday morning informing him of the fire. “When I got here both buildings was on fire and the fire service trying to out it,” Faria said.
“….I don’t know what really take place,” he added.
At the scene, residents praised the firefighters for their efforts in containing the fire.
“I just see the fire…..the building got all kind of things inside, rum and so. So it was hard to contain the fire,” a resident, who wished not to be named said.
Another resident, Deroy Levans, who manages two neighbouring buildings said after he learnt of the fire, he rushed to the scene.
“When I reach here, I was able to open the gate to let the firemen gain access to the building so that they could have tackle the fire from the back,” Levans said.
According to Levans, one of the buildings which houses a school is more than 90 years old.
“It’s in the hand of God that this building didn’t catch….If this fire did come over to this building, this whole block would have been down,” Levans related.
The losses are estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
