One day after the devastating fire that ripped through DeSinco Trading Limited, located on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, Managing Director of the establishment, Frank De Abreu said that no employee will be out of a job.
Firemen struggling to contain the blaze on Wednesday
“No staff member will be out of a job…I rather reduce profits than to put people out of a job this time or any time of the year,” he stated while adding that “everybody who is working here will be placed at another branch,” De Abreu explained to Guyana Times.
The businessman was unable to give an exact figure to the losses as a result of the fire but noted that the figure will be millions while noting that the business was insured.
On Wednesday, firefighters spent more than three hours battling the blaze at the Sheriff Street, Georgetown business as flames tore through and ultimately destroyed the entire structure. The fire started at about 13:00h, however, despite the fact that several firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service were dispatched to the scene, accessing water was a challenge. By this time, heavy smoke was billowing from the building and the flames threatened nearby buildings. This promoted the call for more fire tenders as those at the scene were unable to contain the blaze.
After almost two hours of battling the flames, the fire service finally deployed a truck with a telescoping boom-ladder to enable the firemen to tackle the blaze from overhead. By this time, at least one of the buildings on the property was completely destroyed and the other was also gutted.
Associated Packers Industry
Meanwhile, another business that is also housed in the same building is now counting their losses to be over $80 million.
Speaking with Guyana Times via telephone, owner of Associated Packers Industry (API) – Mahendra Jaikaran stated that he has been operating at the location for more than 10 years.
He said he was informed at about 13:30h that the building is on fire.
“I saw smoke in the air… When I arrived on the scene, the fire was out. There was no fire anywhere, but a little bit of smoke. Apparently, the fire trucks got there and emptied their contents on it, which I understand was only 450 gallons each.”
He further added that he waited at the sense for some time, after which the fire reignited and the fire trucks were out of water.
“Unfortunately, I understand that they did not get the amount of water, and they were looking around for water from various hydrants, and by the time that, the fire started to regain,” he explained.
He noted that the company has since begun the rebuilding process but had to send home 30 per cent of its staff members.
Also, on Thursday, firefighters were still trying to extinguish the fire as an excavator was being used to remove the debris from the building, which still on fire.
No injuries were reported from the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. (G1)
