Arson suspected as house, vulcanizing shop go up in flames
Over a dozen persons, including Venezuelan migrants, are now homeless after an early morning fire destroyed their place of abode at Durban and George Streets, Georgetown on Thursday. An adjoining vulcanizing shop was also ruined.
Based on reports received, the fire started just around 1:45h, and firefighters from the Central, West Ruimveldt, Alberttown, and Campbellville fire stations were dispatched to the scene, but despite their efforts, the building was completely gutted.
The aftermath of the fire
While the cause of the fire is yet to be determined, the owner of the vulcanizing shop, Kevin Phillips, believes it might be arson.
Phillips explained that he was sleeping at home when he was awakened by his dogs barking at about 1:00h on Thursday. Upon checking, the man said, he saw two persons riding away from the side of his home. Shortly after, he heard his neighbour screaming, “Fire! Fire!”
The house and shop have been reduced to ashes
He said that after noticing the blaze, he immediately began dousing the building with water, but his attempts were futile.
“We tried to contain the fire, but we couldn’t do that…We tried to save something, but we didn’t get to, since everything is just burnt. We sell electrical bikes, and all of them were destroyed. We also have people who had their bikes in the shop, and those were destroyed,” he said.
The man has estimated his losses to be in the millions.
Meanwhile, Divisional Fire Officer Haimchandra Persaud related that at about 3:00h, firefighters had the blaze under control. He said they were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby homes and businesses.
Nevertheless, Elegance Jewellery and Pawnshop, which is located close to the burnt building, was scorched.
The Fire Officer has assured that all theories surrounding the origin of the fire will be investigated.
