The origin of the Friday fire which completely destroyed three buildings and badly damaged another on Regent Street, has left businessmen, employees and residents who have been affected seeking answers from the Guyana Power and Light Company.
However, Chairman of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Winston Brassington told the media yesterday that an investigation into the fire is ongoing and that he could not comment until the findings are released.
Efforts to contact Fire Chief Marlon Gentle for comment yesterday proved futile.
The aftermath of Friday’s fire. (Jules Gibson photo)
The fire completely destroyed Regent Household Electronics, the bond behind the building, and the home of Rudolph Montouth and his reputed wife Mildred Gibbs. The upper two flats of the three storey building which housed DM Beauty World were also destroyed by the fire.
On Friday, employees at the M. Umraow and Sons store opposite Household Electronics told this newspaper that around 4:50 pm they noticed the wire that connects that building to the electricity post, sparking. This section of the wire is attached to the building before it runs down to the meter. One of the employees said that “it catch on the wire first, started sparking, and… it start spread on the wire into the building.”
Yesterday one man said “the fire is totally GPL fault, totally their fault”.
Another resident, John Piggott, echoed the sentiments of the businessman who said that “in spite of whether they [GPL] offer compensation or not, the fire was started by the sparking electrical wires”. The man then proceeded to show this newspaper photographs of the sparking wires in front of Household Electronics.
The sparking wires (blue spot at centre of photo) at Household Electronics which is believed to have started the blaze. (John Piggott photo)
Residents in the area told this newspaper yesterday that contrary to some reports there was no blackout prior to the fire starting.
When this newspaper visited the scene yesterday morning at about 11 am, there was still a heavy police presence on the scene as barricades were still in front of the burnt buildings. Later, investigators were observed sifting through the debris.
Meanwhile, employees of the two enterprises affected by the fire had gathered, many contemplating the way forward. A manager at DM Beauty World, who declined to be named, was unable to give an estimate as to how much was lost at the store. The manager said that they were waiting for the owner of the building Mukesh Daby, who was expected to arrive in the country last evening to determine the way forward.
The manager disclosed that neither she nor the employees had been briefed by the Guyana Fire Service or the Guyana Police Force as yet.
Meanwhile efforts to contact Shaheed Hamid, the owner of Household Electronics Store yesterday were unsuccessful. However, when this newspaper asked one of the man’s close relatives if the building was insured he said that he was unsure but that “he hoped so.” The man was also unable to say anything about the value of the property lost.
At around midday, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds performing the function of President visited the site and spoke briefly with the employees of the affected businesses as well as relatives of the owners of these establishments. He offered his condolences to them and wished them the best in their recovery efforts.
In a comment to this newspaper, Hinds described the fire as “a loss to individuals and to the nation”. He added that fire was to be “regretted” since it destroyed capital and various accumulations of wealth.
Restoring Order
Meanwhile, residents who lived in the vicinity were trying to restore some semblance of order to their homes and lives.
When this newspaper visited the Lot 142 W ½ home of seventy-nine year-old Iris Yee, relatives and friends were doing repairs to her home. This home is located directly west of DM Beauty World. The woman was not at home at the time and Stabroek News was told by her nephew John Piggott that she was resting comfortably at a relative.
According to Piggott his aunt usually lives alone but he would spend time with her occasionally. He said yesterday was one such occasion but he was not with her when the fire started. He said that he was at a neighbouring building when he received a telephone call from his aunt who told him about the blaze. According to him, the women then exited the building on her own where he collected her and carried her to safety.
Piggott said that substantial damage was done to the home, as windows were broken, part of the building was scorched and the roof was also damaged. He explained that fireman entered his aunt’s home in their attempt to control the blaze and in this process damage was done to the property, which has been home to his aunt for more than twenty years.
When asked to estimate the losses, Piggott said that it was certainly in excess of $1 million.
A relieved Suzanne D’Anjou is flanked by her two daughters Nikisha (left) and Miriam (Jules Gibson photo)
Suzanne D’Anjou and her two daughters Miriam and Nikisha are grateful that their home is still intact, after they had feared for the worst. Their home is located in the same yard as Iris Yee’s and her neighbours to the east were Rudolph Montouth and Mildred Gibbs who lost their home in the blaze.
When this newspaper visited the house, the trio was busy cleaning and trying to get their home in order. Suzanne said that the damage done to the home was minimal. According to her they were able to save most of their valuable equipment. The woman stated that the side of the building was scorched and that her carpets and mattresses got badly soaked.
Destroyed by the fire: The building where Rudolph Montouth used to live with his reputed wife Mildred Gibbs (Jules Gibson photo)
The woman and her two daughters, however, are also looking for their dog Parker. The animal got lost during the fire. The dog is a brown and black dachshund with white paws. According to D’Anjou persons said that they saw the dog in the area last evening but they did not know who it belonged to.
Over at the Nicholas Mc Lean Animal Hospital staffers were getting things in order and they too were grateful that there had not been any significant damage.
Kathryn McLean, wife of the owner, said that her husband is currently overseas. According to her, the animals were all evacuated after the fire started and spent the night at the GSPCA. Staffers at the hospital noted that the animals may experience some amount of trauma because of the fire but she said this is carefully monitored by the staff.
One of the employees at the Animal Hospital, Christopher Perkins had to be hospitalized after sustaining injuries while engaged in heroic deeds at the scene of the fire. Perkins is 24-years old and is a Veterinary Technician.
Describing him as “one of the heroes of the day”, Mc Lean said that Perkins was busy moving property and later decided to go on the roof of the building to help the officers hose the fire. She said that at one point he was left alone on top of the building with the hose.
Explaining, how the young man got injured, Mc Lean said that at some point while traversing the area, Perkins slipped and fell and injured his shoulder in the process. He was rushed to a private hospital where he was admitted. He is recovering well this newspaper was told.
Jerome De Freitas recounting yesterday the heroic acts of the fire-fighters as he stood in his backyard. To the left of the photograph is the fence which was damaged during the battle to contain the blaze. (Jules Gibson photo)
Jerome De Freitas, the proprietor of Jerome De Freitas & Sons at 175 E ½ Charlotte Street, was high in praise for the fire-fighters who helped to quell the blaze on Friday from the back of his yard. The man’s property is located behind the building which housed Household Electronics. According to him, had it not been for their quick thinking and bravery more property would have been damaged since several of the properties in the neighbourhood are made of wood.
According to De Freitas, he was in his house at the front of the yard, when he observed the fireman run through his gate and down to the back of the yard where they began to apply the hose to the burning building. He said that soon more hoses were applied to the task from his yard and those of neighbours.
He said that the fire officers took great care in soaking the neighbouring houses in Charlotte Street, actions which he described as extremely wise, since these buildings were at risk because of the wind direction at the time.
During the firemen’s efforts to extinguish the fire, De Freitas’ fence was damaged but he considers this a small price to pay for what could have been more serious and devastating damage.
I think these business should file a class action lawsuiy against GPL, hence the government. You can’t win that easily in Guyana when the government is wrong, but people have to be determined to fight for change, one way or other. Dr. Randy Persaud says Guyana is on the move, folks.
Yeh and den de blackout gon double up pon dem.
Re: “Wire fire points to GPL -victims…”!!!!
Think futuristic Guyana – Think!
Think “Solar homes (and businesses) go for high-tech and practicality”
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10371736-54.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1
Where in the world are the “Ken Jarvis-es” in Guyana (with their business proposals) like there were during dem Burnham days???
-
The incidents of sparking wires causing fires in Guyana are becoming more common and frequent. Is G.P.L. using properly insulated and rated cables in their service connections? This phenomenon is not normal and cries out for a serious investigation. With the high number of wooden structures and high incidence of illegal hookups, the conditions for unintended results like fires are magnified.
“She said that at one point he was left alone on top of the building with the hose.” I hope that Mr.Perkins has learnt his lesson. Leave fire fighting to the Professionals. Your life is more important than property.
DD. I will now add to my list of procedures given yesterday
-Firefighters leave onlookers with the hose to fight fire.
-Onlooker “firefighter” slips, is injured and has to be hospitalized.
DD i agree with you, these people needs to leave fire fighting to the professionals because if they get hurt they can’t claim compensation, unless they are voluntary fire tenders and is sanctioned by the city govt.
A few years ago sparking GPL wires set fire to a post in my street. Luckily only the post was burnt. Not so lucky for the fire victims this time. Glad to see Mr deFreitas’s property is OK. Once he has asessed the firemen as doing a good job, then they’ve done a good job. As for GPL …
Dear Editor,
Permit me to say this That GPl must be taken to the cleaners for the cause of the fire;they have people houses like christmas trees on and off.They have to pay BIG TIME;All their intention is to squeeze the small man with all kinds meters that have racing parts instal in them;Its time all I say; ALL GUYANESE stand together and make GPL pay Big Time for all damages they have caused over the years…
nexus
Nexus, that is a pipe dream. Guyanese will do absolutely nothing. The GPL and the government are hand in hand and will therefore walk away free from any responsibility. The small man has no voice – as a matter the citizens have no voice. They make a whole lot of noise when it does not count and are quiet on important matters.
I agree with you nexus. How can we fight GPL when our caring
Government is in support of the wrong things that GPL has
been doing to us from the time they took over from GEC.
That is it nexus but which part of Guyanese society is gonna stand up to these bullies?
NeNe, Pouderoyen Man & Brandon you are all wrong. Private individuals took GPL to court before and won. The last was the guy whose house in Kingston was burnt down due to a power surge after a blackout. He took GEC to court and was awarded millions. The matter took years & by then GEC was gone. GPL was ordered to pay.
GPL may be using substandard cables/wires.
Yes nexus , take the GPL to the cleaners and let the sale of generators , along with the prices , sky-rocket . Nexus , are you going to advocate to take the inept PPP government to the cleaners , too ??? Nexus , while you are at it , what about the criminals , are you taking them to the cleaners ?? Nexus , don’t spare those people with illegal connections make them pay the GPL . Nexus , when you are finish cleaning up GT , come to Barbados and help us take the illegal guyanese immigrants to the cleaners .
ya all shut yall traps…GPL doing a great job of reminding Guyanese that Christmas soon coming.
Keep Winking & Blinking GPL::::::::
Yuh fuget fuh tell dem fuh keep on bu’nin peeple appliance and house.
Jagdoe: hey Kamerade Clemens how come dem place bun down in Regent street and we are getting blamed for no Fire engines and no water?
Rohee: Kamerade Jagdoe what can I say we took out the fire tenders to get them blessed and put them on a roadshow to show the malcontents around the country what a great job we are doing, we had a parade in the national park to make sure the media covered this whole thing properly. Let me tell you Burnham used to mek a big deal about mass games you should have seen the show dere when we roll out dem fiah engines. People were behaving like is Janet land down dere.
Jagdoe: ok hmmm ok that kinda makes sense I mean so what if a few businesses and homes burn down we have to sacrifice for the greater good and make sure we stick it to Carbin and Tratman by showing off the new fiah engines.
Rohee: That is right kamerade we have to mek sure that the propaganda machinery is in top order that is what is important here let us not lose focus.
Jagdoe: well lets see what those stupid blaggers on Stabruk gonna seh now, dem can’t complain because we spend a lot of money on dem fire engines that means next year we are gonna have to cut back on money for GPL and GWI because the prado fleet needs refreshing next year.
Rohee: Kamerade I was gonna talk to you about that, I need a new prado this one is getting a bit worn, I was looking at the seat a few days ago and it umm has a serious depression in the leather right where I sit.
Jagdoe: Kamerade that is something we have to remediate right now, get Benn or Ashni on it because Macau is in Brazil he cannot handle any kind of lacky work right now. I am flying back tomorrow in the mean time get GINA to issue a lot of press reports praising the firemen and also tell Randy to fire off one of dem other letters like the one about Don Valley Parkway style lights instead tell him to mek sure he mention dese fiah engines better than any fire engine in the world dem gat tank bigger than Donald head.
Rohee: No worries Kamerade I got that and travel back safe at least this fire is gonna tek the media off of the Raja Khan ting. I also mek sure I send back de fiah engine from CBJ in time fuh yuh flight suh doan worry.
….. bean brain …. quite an imagination in fiction !… de onli prablem wid u an dis wah yuh leff hay is ,,,,, it’s all abt condemnayshan ,,, nottin abt how to make it better ! can u at least mek a sensible comment to reflect some intelligence !… like more hydrants ,, efficent water supply 24/7 ,, how to make dis possible ! ,,,, voltage control ! afatah a prolonged power outage ,, which of course require the attention of qualified “engineers” by de light company ! etc…
errrr wow see how quick this cure you speech, now you talking english?
I have a sister who lives in Georgetown and she tells me all the time how many times there is blackouts and she still have to pay for those days she has no electricity…… now I think that is a
rip off. The govenment is punishing guyanese in terrible ways; by not providing the necessary services they are paying for. I feel
that it is one of the reasons people are stealing electricity which is not good.