Investigators from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana Police Force are yet to determine the cause of a fire which ripped through an entire block, which housed a supermarket and other businesses, just under a week ago on Saffon Street.
This was confirmed by the Fire Chief, Gregory Wickham, who said in an interview with Stabroek News that the investigation is ongoing.
“We are still continuing our investigation. We have an ongoing investigation going on; we have not concluded as yet as to the cause of the fire”
While in some instances, the cause of a fire is determined within days, in this case, the fire remains of unknown origin some two weeks later. When asked why the cause was yet to be determined, Wickham responded that while the cause of some fires can be determined quickly, others remain difficult to unravel. It is that way, he explained, because all fires are not the same.
“I’m not at liberty to say why, but that’s how the investigation goes. Some quickly come to a conclusion but then they are others because no two fires are the same. When the investigation is concluded the information will be released.”
On July 8, a fire broke out at about 2:30 at Saffon and Sussex streets, Georgetown, opposite the La Penitence market. The building housed a supermarket and other businesses.
With thick smoke billowing, which could be seen from afar, six water tenders, one hydraulic platform, one fire boat, and a hose layer from Central, Alberttown, Campbellville, West Ruimveldt, Eccles, and Fire Service Headquarters responded to the scene.
The arrival was just close to 3 am, and firefighters reported that they say saw smoke coming from the building in all directions.
At the scene, firefighters were able to spring into action and contain the fire.
Firefighters were then informed that some Chinese nationals were trapped in the building for over an hour.
The Chinese nationals were rescued after firefighters made a hole in the wall and extracted them. They were rushed to hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation.
