A fire of so far unknown origin destroyed the Bob and Son Grocery at Strand, New Amsterdam, Berbice, last night.
Fire Chief Gregory Wickham told Stabroek News that one building was destroyed and one slightly damaged.
“We are going to conduct the investigation to determine the cause of this fire”, he added. No injury was reported.
According to eyewitness, Ulric Victor, who went live from the scene and spoke to reporters via phone, the blaze originated in the upper flat of the building, quickly spreading to consume the entire structure. The building was said to be an old one.
Victor described an intense scene, with gas cylinders exploding inside the supermarket and heavy smoke blanketing the area.
“The building was blazing, it was a very old building, they couldn’t save it because it was already completely gone, the whole supermarket completely demolished,” he said, noting the intense heat radiating from the building, which threatened nearby structures.
Scotiabank, located next door, was in particular danger due to its proximity along with Penguin Hotel, next to the grocery store, which sustained damage, with its side wall catching fire.
Although firefighters arrived quickly and worked to contain the blaze, limited water supply hindered their initial efforts along with a delayed power cut by GPL.
“When I came, the roof alone was on fire, but they didn’t have enough water. They worked hard to put it out, when they got here they jump out and run, I must commend them. There isn’t anything they could’ve done” Victor stated. As explosions continued within the store. He added that a CD vendor who vended outside the store was also affected.
The grocery store has been a part of the community for years.
