Hours after investigators from the Guyana Fire Service examined the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage in their probe into the massive fire which destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of items stored in a bond at the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC), Fire Chief (ag) Fire Chief Gregory Wickham has said that the blaze was deliberate.
“We would have completed the investigation and the cause which we came up with is that the fire was maliciously set by person/persons unknown,” Wickham told this publication said on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Wickham told this publication that the fire investigation team were examining CCTV footage from the cameras located at the wharf at Lombard Street, Georgetown.
The fire erupted just before midnight on Sunday at the facility and destroyed a two-storey wooden, concrete and steel bond which was used by Tropical Shipping Company and Laparkan Trading Company.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), in a recent statement on the matter, said Tropical Shipping Company sustained water damage and minor fire damage. Additionally, propane cylinders, a quantity of barrels containing food stuff, clothing, household appliances and other items were destroyed.
On the other hand, the GFS noted that Laparkan Trading suffered the loss of one Bobcat machine, a quantity of office furniture, gas cylinders, crates of energy drinks, three 40 feet containers containing electrical cables and flex hoses, three electrical transformers and three 40 feet refrigeration containers. In addition, eleven vehicles were also destroyed while five were severely damaged and three others were slightly damaged.
Laparkan Company Manager Bodhan Nipan had recently noted that the company is doing its best to make sure that business flow is not impeded and also to address affected customers.
