It is highly likely that an electrical spark ignited propane gas and caused the fire that razed the Camp and Robb streets complex on Sunday morning, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has confirmed.
Gentle yesterday said four 100-pound cooking gas bottles were found and based on eyewitness accounts and the fire service’s scene analysis, it is highly likely that the fire was ignited by the electrical spark.
Yesterday the fire service deployed excavators to remove some of the debris at the site.
In addition, persons also continued to try to recover scrap iron, while others were on hand paying for the materials that were recovered.
Nearby, business was being conducted as usual at the City Mall, Republic Bank and the ‘This is it Mall’ on Robb Street.
Several of the City Mall’s windows were shattered and the air conditioning units were damaged during the fire. Fans were deployed in their place yesterday. A worker at the mall had said there was no internal damage. The City Mall is south of the burnt complex.
Four of Republic Bank’s windows were shattered and several others were cracked from the heat of the fire. The bank is on the western side of Camp and Robb streets and faces the burnt complex. Bank customers were directed to use the Robb Street entrance yesterday.
The ‘This it Mall,’ on Robb Street, was also open for business yesterday. The mall’s windows were also shattered and the building was scorched by the fire. However, the majority of damage done to the mall building was caused by water used to contain the blaze.
Rizwan Naim Khan, owner of the Discount Store on Regent Street and the TelePerformance building opposite the burnt complex, is the current owner of the burnt complex. He had bought the 20,000-square feet building from AH and L Kissoon two years ago. Khan said millions went up in flames.
Yun Ping Lin, the woman who had been operating out of the building for the past three years, said five persons were present when the fire started, including a baby. The complex housed a hardware store, restaurant and a storage bond.
A small snackette that was located on the eastern side of the building was also destroyed.
Gentle had said it was the first time in years that the fire service had to utilise all of the fire stations in Georgetown as well as reserve personnel to battle the fire. Seven fire tenders and two tankers were used to contain the fire.
