The Charity Market on the Essequibo Coast has gone up in flames, reports from the region say.
A fire of unknown origin has destroyed several stalls at the Charity Market at Charity on the Essequibo Coast.
The fire started at 7.30 pm and quickly spread in the marketing centre. Millions of dollars in groceries and hardware items have gone up in flames.
Residents living in the area quickly alerted the Anna Regina fire station which arrived 20 minutes after. Up to press time the fire was spreading. Vendors were seen watching helplessly as their items were consumed by the flames.
“I had a stall packed with groceries. There is nothing I could do but watch it went up in flames”, Shereen a vendor said.
The Guyana Fire Service has issued the following statement:
The Guyana Fire Service, along with the Guyana Police Force, is working assiduously to bring a fire under control, which is occurring now at the Charity Market in Essequibo.
There are two fire tenders currently operating to bring the blaze under control, which started at approximately 19:20 p.m.
At this time, we also have to report that one of our officers received a mild electrical shock during firefighting activities. He was taken to the hospital and treated. Additionally, another rank was also injured at the scene and required medical attention.
The Guyana Fire Service is asking residents to remain vigilant and to keep a safe distance as firefighters work to extinguish the blaze.
