A fire, suspected to have been started by arsonists, completely gutted two buildings and damaged another at the corner of D’Urban and George streets, Werk-en-Rust, early yesterday morning.
The fire destroyed a building that housed a vulcanizing shop and the owner’s residence, another house and damaged the western side of Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop. This newspaper was also informed that several Venezuelan nationals who rented one of the buildings that was destroyed by the fire are now without shelter.
Kevin Phillips, owner of the vulcanizing shop, told reporters that he was awakened by the barking of his dogs sometime around 1am yesterday.
The man explained that upon making checks, he saw two persons boarding their bikes before riding off.
He said shortly after he heard his neighbour shouting “fire,” which led him to open his window to see where the fire was and immediately he saw it at the side of his house.
The man said he tried to contain the fire but was unable to. He then attempted to save some items but was not very successful.
Phillips said that his business was not insured and he has lost millions as a result of the fire.
Meanwhile, Hardat Maniram, owner of Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, located at Lot 1 D’Urban Street, Werk-en-Rust, stated that he received information about the fire yesterday morning from a security firm.
The businessman disclosed that the fourth storey of the building was damaged by the fire as well as an office area. The western side of the four-storey building was also scorched by the fire.
While he was unable to give an estimate of his losses, Maniram said the business has managed to put things in place to remain open to continue to serve the public.
