Apart from jobs lost…
FIRE, at a sawmill in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, early yesterday morning, destroyed millions of dollars worth of equipment and left at least 20 workers on the breadline.
The blaze, of yet unknown origin, which occurred at GNI Sawmills and Logging Company owned by Mr. Ganesh Cheddi, damaged approximately 75 feet of a section of the mill containing machinery used for processing logs.
The owner also reported that an overhead crane, valued millions of dollars, was left beyond repair and a gangsaw with similar value bore the brunt of the flames.
Cheddi said, while the latter might be salvaged, it was too soon to know for sure.
He lamented additional losses that would accrue through down time and lost orders and said the disaster also hit hard his boat building operations next to the mill.
Chief boat builder, Mr. Frederick Phoenix said he and five other workmen were dependent on the mill, its machines and electricity and would be unable to continue working for some time.
“Most likely, we have to find something else to do until the situation gets back to normal,” he said.
Reports said the conflagration started in the processing area of the sawmill around 04:30 h.
Cheddi said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was called and responded commendably prompt with a tender arriving at the scene in less than ten minutes.
“Given the amount of wood shaving and other combustibles which are a part of the environment, the firemen did an excellent job in containing the blaze to the processing area. It could have been much worse,” he said.
Cheddi said his company might have to lay off some laborers but will try to keep as many employees as possible.
He noted that there would be need for some in the clean-up and reconstruction phases.
The sawmill was established by his father, Mr. Kenneth Cheddi, now an octogenarian, 50 years ago and has been continuously in operation since then.