Puran Brothers still to rebuild after recent fire
The Puran Bros property after the fire
The Puran Bros property after the fire

PURAN Brothers Waste Disposal Service of Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara has said that rebuilding of its office complex will take time.That building was destroyed in an August 8, 2015 fire that consumed two buildings and took the life of an elderly woman whilst seriously injuring another.

The building that Puran’s lost in that fire used to house its office/mechanic shop and fuel depot.

Office Manager Kalesh Puran told this newspaper that the company has since converted a house at the rear of the burnt-out property into an office, and will be operating there until the office complex can be rebuilt.

He explained that the Board of Directors is due to make a decision, which is being held in abeyance pending outcome of the insurance discussions.

The Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, told this publication yesterday that the GFS investigations have revealed that the conflagration was started by a child/children playing with matches in the upper flat of the two-storey wooden house which has been destroyed along with the Puran’s building.

The blaze, which started at about 10:00 hrs on August 8, 2015, claimed the life of 97-year-old Princess Tinnamon, called ‘Sister P’, and seriously injured 71-year-old Vivian Thomas, who jointly occupied the upper flat of the house with ‘Sister P’. She was admitted a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

The lower flat of the building was reportedly occupied by Sharon Thomas and her son. Thomas told this publication that she did not get to save anything, because the heat was so intense she had to exit the building. The woman added that she tried going upstairs to save her elderly relatives, but could not, so she had to save herself.

Owner of Puran Bros Waste Disposal Service, Lakenauth Puran, has said the company’s losses are in the millions.
Office Manager Kalesh Puran told this publication that he was inside the office when the fire started, and managed to save only some documents, but he ensured that the workers vacated the premises.

He noted there was nothing that could have been done, apart from his moving some important documents and urging employees to vacate the premises. He said he was in distress at the passing of the elderly woman who perished in the blaze.

The Purans reportedly used to support the deceased woman with a regular supply of groceries, and they deemed her demise as very unfortunate. They say it has left them traumatised, since they had become emotionally attached to the senior citizen and had always tried to make her comfortable.

The Purans pointed out that they have suffered a tremendous loss of more than $80M, but they are trying to restart the operation and are seeking a building to occupy.

Their losses notwithstanding, the Purans would like to express sympathy to the relatives of the 97-year-old woman, to whom they had grown accustomed and with whom they had developed a good relationship.

Residents said that it was very heart-rending hearing the screams of 97-year-old Princess Tinnamon, but they could do nothing to help her. Her charred remains were found under a zinc sheet inside the burnt out house after the flames were doused.

The land belongs to the Purans, but was leased to the homeowner by request, since the Purans had grown up with the family next door, including the two elderly women.

By Michel Outridge

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