A fast response by firefighters early yesterday prevented a fire from razing a sawmill at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. However, a section of the G&I Sawmill popularly known as Cheddi Sawmill was destroyed by the blaze, which started in a section where several pieces of machinery are located. The fire’s origin has not been determined and losses are said to run into several million dollars. Equipment such as saws and other wood processing equipment were destroyed.

Residents and a fireman spray water on the G&I Sawmill yesterday. The section which was destroyed is seen in the photo.

The sawmill is owned by Ganesh Cheddi. One relative told this newspaper that at around 4.30 am yesterday, the guard shouted that there was a fire. She said they ran outside and saw a section of the south side of the building ablaze. The Fire Department was contacted, she said, and they arrived promptly. One of the trucks was sent from Georgetown and the other from Leonora. Water was sourced from a canal and the nearby Demerara River.  After setting up their equipment, the firemen battled the flames, which were eventually brought under control. However, the firemen stayed for several hours to ensure that the flames were out. With a large amount of wood and large piles of sawdust in the compound, several of these caught on fire and the firemen had quite a task ensure that the flames were doused.

Neighbours said the blaze was big. “My son wake up and seh it got a fire in town,” one woman said.