A Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) business place on Wednesday afternoon went up in flames leaving five persons homeless and millions in losses.
According to reports, the fire started at the Lot 174 Parika Junction, EBE, building at around 03:30h.
The building engulfed in flames (credit: Melvin Singh)
Guyana Times understands the property comprised a house on the upper flat and a cook shop below.
This publication was informed that the owner of the house, Pinky Williams was at home with her daughter and nephew when the fire started.
The family was inside when they heard a loud explosion coming from one of the bedrooms in the upper flat of the two storey wooden and concrete structure.
Following the explosion, smoke was seen emanating from the bedroom and by the time checks were made, the entire bedroom was already engulfed in flames.
As such, the family sounded an alarm and quickly exited the house. Neighbours reportedly formed a bucket brigade while the Fire Service was called.
When the Fire Service arrived at the scene, the entire building was engulfed in flames.
By the time they brought the fire under control, nothing was salvageable.
Speaking with this newspaper, one of the occupants of the house, Stacy Williams, explained that she was not at home at the time of the fire.
She however revealed that the fire could not have been as a result of electrical issues as Parika was without electricity for the entire day.
“Whole day the place had blackout so we know that the fire couldn’t have been from electrical issues,” Williams said.
The distraught young woman disclosed that her family was unable to save anything and millions were lost.
The matter is being investigated and arson has not been ruled out.
