…losses estimated at $100M
AN early morning fire yesterday destroyed the well-known Amerally Sawmills of New Amsterdam, Berbice, which resulted in losses of approximately $100M, and left scores of persons jobless.
Supervisor Raywat Sankar, who lives in the compound, said he was awakened by shouts of ‘fire’ from the watchman at about 03:40hrs.
He quickly called the fire service and his boss, Anthony Amerally.
Contracts Manager Roy Jafarally related that there was much damage to the infrastructure and machinery.
The fire,  fanned  by a strong northeastern wind , raced through the operations building , damaging several winches, gang saws,  band saws, gantries, circle saws,  a 440 volt cable,  a 350 horse power gear box,  logs , boards, and zinc sheets,  amongst other items.
Jafarally said the catastrophe has triggered a ripple effect, which will affect operations on the logging grants, tug and barge crew, operators and labourers  whose services will be reduced while the sawmill is out of operation.
The manager reported that equipment engineers from ESTERER, manufacturer of the European-made Gangsaw, which is inoperable after being water-soaked during the blaze, will be hired to assist in rehabilitation of the equipment.
He said while the business is insured, the fire, suspected to be electrical in origin, will delay the handing over of supplies to schools, health centres, and GuySuCo which has various contracts with the entity.
Jafarally said the business, which has been in operation for over 80 years, is without a stand-by generator.
“ We have a monthly business premium plan of $450,000 with Guyana Power and Light for a three phase power supply of 110, 220 and 440 volts, in addition to our monthly usage”, he said.
According to him, only floodlights were on for security purposes during the night, with breakers being used to control the equipment.
The manager was high in praise for the efficient
manner in which the firemen brought the blaze under control.