A fire at approximately 10:40 am today has completely destroyed fifteen buildings at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, in Region #7, the police say.
Two persons are believed to have perished but there has been no confirmation of this the police say.
Nine of those buildings belonged to Yvette McDonald, a businesswoman from Enmore, East Coast Demerara; four of the buildings belonged to Floyd Elcock, a businessman of Norton Street, Georgetown; one building belonged to Otis McKenzie, a businessman of Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo; and one building belonged to Williams Cozier, a boat captain from Tuschen Housing Scheme, EBE.
The fire scene was visited at about 2.30 pm today by Police Commander for Regional Division #7, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore; Detective Inspector Henry, Crime Scene Technician Hopkinson, and other ranks.
The investigation so far has revealed the following:
** ‘Miners Choice’, owned by McDonald, consisted of three hotel buildings, a restaurant, workers’ living quarters, a fuel bond, and a nightclub. The business also stored and sold gasoline and diesel on a wholesale and retail basis.
** Elcock’s businesses included a grocery store, hotel, and restaurant, and he also stored and sold fuel in bulk.
** McKenzie operated a drug store, while Cozier’s building was used for residential purposes.
Preliminary reports, the police say, suggest the fire started while one of the workers at the ‘Miners Choice’ establishment was selling fuel. Some of the fuel spilt, ignited and quickly engulfed the buildings in the compound as well as the surrounding structures.
Several rooms at Miners Choice were reportedly occupied at the time of the fire. It is currently unknown whether all occupants were able to evacuate safely. It is suspected that two persons may have perished, but this cannot be confirmed due to the extent of the rubble and debris.
The fire has been contained to the affected buildings with the help of public-spirited individuals who used a dredge engine from the Puruni River to assist in extinguishing it.
Police ATV 3129, which was used by the ranks based at Puruni Landing, was also destroyed in the fire.
The total cost of damage is unknown at this time, and none of the affected buildings is said to be insured.
The investigation is ongoing.
