Home of New Line Aqua Farm owner gutted
AN EARLY morning fire, of, yet unknown origin, gutted the dwelling house of New Line Aqua Farm owner, Salim Juman Azeez. The building, located at Lot 17 Second Half, Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara, was water-soaked when the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the scene, where losses were estimated at millions of dollars.
Occupants and others were reluctant to speak about the destruction but Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded to the call, about 03:40hrs, with two tenders.
He said the first tender, from West Ruimveldt Station, in Georgetown, reached the location 14 minutes after the alarm but, by then, the building was already well alight.
Gentle said firemen on the second tender, from Leonora Station, West Coast Demerara, battled the flames which started in the middle flat of the sprawling three-storey building.
Loud explosion
He said it is unconfirmed how the conflagration started, but those in occupation said they woke up after hearing a loud explosion, then saw the middle flat burning and a motor vehicle speeding away but they managed to escape through the back.
Gentle said, by the time the tenders got there, the blaze had already spread to the bottom flat which is heavily grilled and secured.
He said an investigation has commenced to determine the cause and mentioned that the GFS was also assisted by a Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) tender, from Wales Estate, on West Bank Demerara, as well.
The destruction was contained to one building, from where a large sum of money was removed by the occupants after the embers were doused.
Azeez also partly owns Hotel Tower in Main Street, Georgetown.