On Friday evening, the upper flat of a residence at Lot 252 Lamaha Park, Georgetown, was completely destroyed by fire.
Andrew McBean, owner of Designs 360 Custom Apparel, who occupied the house, told this newspaper that on the night in question he was in the lower flat of the building from which he operates his business. At around quarter to nine he was closing up when neighbours alerted him that something was happening, “When I came out, right where the wire connects to the front door of the house, it caught right where the wire connects to the meter which was right next to the front door.” This acted as a barrier, preventing McBean from entering the house.
He commended the Guyana Fire Service for their quick response, calling their efforts “impeccable”. He said: “They couldn’t save it because the flames had already engulfed the building and there was a limit to what they could have done but when they got here they got straight into action.” He added that after the fire was subdued, both he and some firefighters entered the building to see what could be salvaged. “They helped me fetch stuff out of the office like the fridge and the furniture and so.”
As it relates to the value of the items lost, the businessman is yet to determine a figure. He lamented that the fire was as a result of the fluctuation of electricity which led to the sparking of the wires and inevitably the fire which destroyed his home.
Stabroek News spoke to Deon Hope, a neighbour of McBean, who recounted that he was on his verandah “and I see smoke and I walk and come out, when I look at the front door it had heavy smoke.”
This prompted Hope to raise an alarm and he began to assist as much as he could with saving items from the building.
Another neighbour who wished to remain anonymous shared with Stabroek News that the power was shut off earlier and when it was eventually put back on, there was a heavy surge. “People steady fixing wire in this area.”
The Guyana Fire Service is yet to determine the cause of the fire. Water tenders 85, 105, and a water bowser were dispatched to the area and deployed in the firefighting efforts.
The first unit arrived on the scene at 20.51 hours.
Stabroek News spoke to a source at the Guyana Power & Light who informed that at this stage, the company will have to work along with the Guyana Fire Service to have the cause of the fire ascertained.
As a result of the fire McBean is now homeless as the fire caused significant damage to the first floor and severe damage to the second floor of the house. (Mia Anthony)
