… though there is some indication it could be arson
MINISTER of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee yesterday told the media that he is awaiting a full report on the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) fire which destroyed the marine stores and the marine building last Wednesday morning. He said, “From the preliminary report that I received so far, it appears as though there is ground for suspicion of arson; but I am awaiting a full report on the matter.”
An early morning fire on August 10 last, completely destroyed the Transport and Harbours Department marine stores and the marine building which once housed the residence of senior employees, and damaged Mings Products and Services Limited at 6 Urquhart Street, South Cummingsburg.
Millions of dollars worth of spare parts belonging to the T&HD went up in flames.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said that the Guyana Fire Service received the call about 01:10hrs, and three units, backed up by two others, including tankers, responded.
He added that there was no water problem since they successfully sourced water from the Lamaha Street and Urquhart Street canals and firemen, including off-duty ones chipped in to fight the fire.
Gentle said that when he arrived on the scene there were explosions, given the variety of combustible materials stored in the building, and the firemen attacked the fire with caution, since there were live electrical wires scattered around the place.
He noted that the men began dousing the nearby building, Mings Products and Services, which was under threat, and contained the fire to one building.
The Fire Chief stated that they saved the Ming building about 90%, since it was damaged, but the equipment it contained was intact, while there was also some damage to Michelle Ming’s optical, which was water-soaked.
He yesterday commended the fire fighters for their diligent work since the weather was not in their favour because of high winds.
Gentle added that, the fire reportedly started between the marine house and the marine stores at the back of the building, which was at the time being manned by security guards.
At the scene, Public Works and Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, told reporters that the fire has caused a great loss to his ministry.
Benn said “We’ve had a total loss of the buildings and particularly the loss of millions of dollars in ship stores, including engine spares.”
Minister Benn added that when he arrived on the scene the more than 100-year-old, pitchpine buildings were well alight.
He said, “The stores building had a lot of ship stores, tar and pitch and paint, rope, and so on, but most importantly, the critical spares for the vessels, the engine spares, that is a great loss.”