Massive fire destroys clothing store near Stabroek Market

With KFC and Pizza Hut on either side, a scorching fire of unknown origin ripped through a building at the Georgetown Bus Park Saturday night, near Stabroek Market, damaging the property and prompting an extensive firefighting operation.

This publication spoke with Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Acting Chief Fire Officer Dwayne Scotland, who reported that firefighters received a call about the blaze at approximately 20:25h.

“We responded with three vehicles and started firefighting operations,” he said.

According to Scotland, upon arriving at the scene, firefighters observed that the building was fully engulfed in flames, prompting the dispatch of three additional fire tenders.

The additional resources allowed firefighters to bring the blaze under control and confine it to the building where it originated.

Scotland explained that the building’s location, sandwiched between two other structures, posed challenges for firefighters.

He said the operation received support from the Police and Banks DIH, while a hydraulic platform was deployed to facilitate aerial firefighting.

“We have support from the Police and also Banks DIH. One of the additional vehicles I just spoke about is the hydraulic platform, so that we can get aerial firefighting operations going,” he explained.

At the time of the interview, Scotland could not confirm how many persons may have been inside the building before the fire started.

However, at approximately 22:15h, he commended firefighters for their efforts in tackling the blaze.

“As of now, I would say my firefighters did a very good job, and we will continue to fight the fire the best way we can. We did not get any report that persons were in the building at the time of the fire,” he stated.

The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue.