Caricom Auto Spares went up in flames on Friday afternoon in what its owner alleges was an act of arson, which resulted in an estimated loss of over $150 million.
The fire, which began just after 2pm, destroyed the Lusignan, East Coast Demerara building and all the items inside.
Imran Inshan, the owner of Caricom Auto Spares, subsequently stated that he was told that a dissatisfied customer started the fire.
According to Inshan, when the fire started, he was at the other branch of the company when he saw staff members from the auto spares store running out of the building and was trying to pursue an individual. “According to the staff that was in the office at that time, someone came in and ask for parts, they said they didn’t have the parts”
Inshan explained that his staff members told him that the individual had a piece of paper with something which he threw in the office and later threw a match and lit it. “It just burst into flames. Apparently it seems like it was gasoline,” he said while adding that staff ran out of the building as the fire started.
Firefighters who responded to the report of the fire tried to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. All that was left of the building were the concrete sections of the structure. A nearby bond sustained significant heat damage, which melted sections of the roof. Utility wires in front of the establishment were completely melted, which disrupted the power supply to neighbouring buildings.
Inshan further noted that all that is known about the individual that is suspected of committing the act is that the individual came to the store on a bicycle and rode away after. He said he would be trying to access video footage to better identify the person.
“I think almost everything is damaged so it’s basically a total loss at this point in time,” Inshan said while adding that he was grateful that no one was hurt.
When Stabroek News contacted Commander of Regional Division 4(C) Khali Pareshram and whether an official report of arson was made to the police, the commander only stated that the police were currently conducting investigations of a fire.
