By Gaulbert Sutherland

A fire that started just before midnight last night, destroyed Hamson’s General Store and on Regent Street leaving millions of dollars in losses. Up to press time this morning the building next door was still burning.

Firemen were battling to save others neighbouring buildings but with very poor resources.

Lack of water and the heavily grilled store front prevented firemen from making any headway in controlling the fire, when it had just started. Paint and other combustibles in the hardware store would have fuelled the intense flames.

When Stabroek News arrived at the scene last night around 11:30, just one fire tender was present and thick smoke covered the lower portion of Regent Street downwind from the fire. The thick, gray smoke made it almost impossible to see.

The smoke emanated from the store for quite a while no flames could be seen. However, efforts by the firemen to enter the building were halted by the heavily-grilled store front. Chainsaws and metal-cutting equipment were used to no avail.

Persons on the scene said they saw smoke emanating from the building at just about 11.15 pm and the fire service was contacted. One arrived shortly after but when the water the tender had brought was finished, empty hoses lay on the ground as the fire grew inside the store. Attempts were made to source water from the drains but this took some time.

Another tender arrived, but the water it had brought was used up in a few minutes. After that, firemen assisted by members of the public ran about frantically trying to get water from any source.

Around this time, a man, said to be the owner of the store, arrived. He immediately drove his vehicle repeatedly into the grilled entrance to the store but still the heavy grillwork did not give.

Shortly after, with a sudden burst, the flames broke out of the building lighting up the dark area. A large crowd had gathered and as word of the fire spread many exclaimed about the fact that there was virtually no action by the fire service. “What fire service? This is nah no fire service”, one man commented.

However, even as they attempted to get more water, some firemen braved the heat and ventured on the roof of a neighbouring building to direct water to the flames.

After their water had been exhausted, the fire tenders left and for a little while the fire grew with virtually no attempt made to fight it. The fire service eventually sourced water from the South Road and North Road canals. But many hoses lay on the ground empty and at the height of the inferno as just about three hoses were in operation.

There were intermittent explosions and at the back of the store, an almost blue flame burnt.

Hamson’s General Store sold hardware, building materials, electrical items, pipes and fittings among other items. This newspaper was told that it was only recently that new stocks were taken in.

Many persons expressed shock at the intensity of the fire and fears grew as the fire appeared to be growing. When this newspaper left the scene this morning, the fire at the store had all but died down, but the building next door was still in flames. Up to press time this morning it was still burning.