An early morning fire of unknown origin on Wednesday destroyed the Guest House at the Albion Sugar Estate manager’s quarters. The Estate’s firefighters had to seek back-up from the Guyana Fire Service to extinguish the blaze.
Heavy smoke was spotted in the upper flat of the Guest House sometime around
Fire of unknown origin on Wednesday destroyed the Guest House at the Albion Sugar Estate in Berbice. The Estate’s firefighters had to seek back-up from the Guyana Fire Service to extinguish the blaze
04:25h by a Security Constable at the Albion Estate, Alvin Inderdat, who was patrolling the compound at the time. However, he thought it was smoke from the Estate’s chimney.
“So after I look back again I realised it was suspicious so I leave where I was and rush to the Guest House and then I saw the smoke coming from the second flat of the building and I rush to the security hut and make contact with the Corporal on duty who make contact with the factory tender and with Rose Hall and New Amsterdam.”
Firefighters from the Albion Estate were able to access water from a nearby canal. Ten minutes after the initial smoke was seen, flames were bursting through windows but with the assistance of other workers at the estate, firefighters managed to contain the blaze.
Meanwhile, one unit from the Rose Hall Fire Service and another from the New Amsterdam Fire Service responded.
“The entire front part of the building was on fire,” Inderdat recalled. He said firefighters from the Albion Estate concentrated on containing the blaze until additional help came from New Amsterdam and Rose Hall.
The building housed the senior managers club, a kitchen and a guest house.
It is believed the fire started in the vicinity of the bar which is on the second floor.
The firefighters were able to put out the fire without much damage being done to the outside of the building where the guest rooms were located.
The Guest House at Albion is usually rented for social events including weddings and meetings. The Guyana Fire Service is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire. (Andrew Carmichael)
