3 firemen injured, millions in losses as fire flattens Charity Market

Just months after a horrific fire devasted the Parika Market in Region Three, a fire suspected to be electrical in origin has ravaged the Charity Market in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), leaving three firemen injured and stallholders counting millions of dollars in losses.
The Charity Old Market erupted in flames following a fire suspected to have originated from an electrical meter, placed at the centre of the market. The incident occurred at around 19:20h.
According to a Police report, on his way to the Charity Police Station, a Sergeant of Police observed smoke emanating from the roof in the middle of the market and immediately alerted the security guards who were on duty there. The Anna Regina Fire Service was subsequently contacted and water tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Commanding Officer for the Guyana Fire Service in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Andrew Holder noted that swift action was taken and efforts by the firefighters to put out the blaze were successful.
“Immediately, our two tenders responded very promptly. When we arrived on scene, the centre of the market was fully engulfed. Efforts by the firefighters to quickly cut off this fire from spreading to the entire building was successful. I must at this point give kudos to the regional authority who would have assisted in ensuring that we can access an unlimited supply of water,” Holder shared.
He further explained that several persons who were attempting to save their goods hindered the work of the officers who were trying to put out the fire.
“Everyone converging on the scene and trying to get stuff out of the building severely affected the firefighters from doing their job. With that in mind, I’m asking persons whenever you see firefighters out there trying to accomplish full extinguishment, kindly give them some space to work. It’s not safe, keep a distance until you’re told you can access whatever it is you’re trying to access,” Holder highlighted.
Guyana Times spoke with several vendors who are still counting their losses but called on the Government to provide assistance to help them get back on their feet. One vendor, Chandrawattie Mamoodeen, shared that she occupies two stalls, selling items to enable her to afford her grandchildren a good education.

“I’m the owner of two stalls and 21 cupboards for myself and my grandchildren for their schooling. I stock it [and] sell so they could have a good education. In one of the stalls, they had to break the door, everything was damaged inside. There’re huge amounts of materials (cloth), school bags, footwear, clothing [and more],” Mamoodeen shared.
In addition, another vendor, Ava Thompson, who recently started to sell at the market, shared that all of her investments were destroyed as a result of the fire.
“I’ve only started selling in the market three weeks now. I made a huge investment in marine supplies along with some other convenience and this is a big loss for me. I do hope that the relevant authorities could do something for us because…it was a real struggle for me to get this far and in a matter of three weeks everything just went up in flames,” Thompson told this publication.
However, injured in the fire were leading Fireman Tribuwan; Section Officer Springer, who received electric shocks; and Fireman Ramdahin, on whose head an object fell and who received minor injuries. They were all rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital for medical attention.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and other regional officials visited the Charity Market to assess the damage incurred due to the fire.
It was reported that at about 19:20h, the Guyana Fire Service received a call and was alerted to a fire at the Charity Amazon Market, Essequibo, Region Two.
As such, two water tenders along with their crews from the Anna Regina Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the scene.
“The structure involved was a one-flat wooden and concrete building owned by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and occupied as a market, which housed some eighty-three (83) stalls,” the Home Affairs Ministry stated in a release.
Firefighting efforts resulted in the fire being contained to the central portion of the market and the damage being minimised to just about 40 per cent of the building.
A total of 29 stalls were severely damaged by the fire, while 11 suffered water damage due to firefighting.
During an engagement with vendors at the site, Minister Benn made note of fire safety issues within the structure and encumbrances that contributed to the fire and hindered firefighting efforts, respectively.
He suggested that a new market be constructed that is fully equipped with wet riser systems and other means of protection against fires.
During the engagement, vendors decried the state of the market, highlighting silted-up drainage in the area, which made it difficult for firefighters to gain access to additional water.
Information was gathered, and measures will be put in place to assist those affected by the fire.