Even as investigations are continuing into the two recent infernos on Regent Street, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle says that more evidence is emerging that suggests that the second of these fires was deliberately set.

Gentle told Stabroek News yesterday that investigations into the fire, which occurred two Sundays ago, have unearthed more important evidence which adds to initial suspicions that the fire may have been an act of arson. The new evidence, he disclosed, involved the electronic alarm system that protected the Household Plus building. He, however, declined to provide more information, but emphasised that no firm conclusions could be made until the investigations are completed.

The early morning fire, which erupted at Household Plus, destroyed that store as well as Chino Variety, Slim Jet, Fullworths General Store and Wireless Connections. These stores were located on the southern side of Regent Street, between Orange Walk and Cummings Street.

After this blaze, a senior fire official told this newspaper that the fire appeared to be “suspicious”.  Initial investigations by the Fire Service yielded an eyewitness who reportedly heard an explosive sound and saw someone fleeing from the vicinity of Household Plus moments before the blaze started.

Nine days before, a fire which broke out at Household Electronics completely destroyed that store, a bond behind that store, the home of an elderly man and his reputed wife, while gutting the top flat of DM Beauty World. These stores were located on Regent Street between Albert and Light streets.

Initial reports into this blaze suggested that it was electrical in origin. However, a senior fire official said that given the second fire, investigations into the first fire will come under greater scrutiny considering the fact that two brothers had property destroyed in each of the fires.  Household Electronics is owned by Shaheed Hamid while his brother Nazir Hamid is the proprietor of Household Plus.

Regarding investigations into the earlier blaze, Gentle said that these are moving apace and repeated that it was too early to make any firm conclusions.  When questioned as to when the investigations will be completed, the Fire Chief said that he could not give a timeline.

During a previous interview with this newspaper, Gentle when quizzed about the procedures following the completion of the investigations, said that a report is compiled and is submitted to different statutory agencies as well as to insurance agencies. He said that where the matter involved litigation the report would be forwarded to the parties involved. Persons who have been affected could also have a copy of this report if they so desire, Gentle added.

Meanwhile, when questioned yesterday about the ability of the local Fire Service to properly investigate such fires, Gentle said that the Fire Service was well equipped to conduct such investigations. According to him, some members of the service have undergone special training in the USA and in other Caribbean states.

He said that investigations could be based on physical evidence, circumstantial evidence and even fire patterns among other means. In some cases, while investigations may not be able to determine whether a fire was an act of arson, they can determine the source of the ignition, Gentle said.