FIRE of unknown origin yesterday gutted an abandoned hardware store at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, seriously threatening a neighbouring wooden two-flat residential property.

The property in question, which is west of the burning building, is home to two families, including children.
Flammable items stored in the gutted Guyadin’s Hardware Emporium included paint and several gas bottles, a reliable source disclosed.

Guyadin’s Hardware Store being consumed by fire

Quick response and the application of professional fire-fighting techniques averted what threatened to be a major disaster, as firefighters quickly neutralized the gas bottles.
Because the hardware store had been well secured, firemen were forced to tear down sections of the fence and hack their way into the burning building, exposing themselves to severe smoke inhalation.
As the fire raged, seriously threatening the nearby wooden building, firemen were forced to douse that too with water to prevent it from igniting.
And ironically, even though the Guyadin premises had been well fenced, vagrants and prospective thieves still managed to access its interior from the unfenced yard next door, facilitating free and easy access to a vantage point to get into the unprotected Guyadin’s Hardware Emporium.
The occupants of the unfenced yard claimed that their premises had been fenced until the drainage construction operations in the area began. Dredging with heavy equipment caused their wire fence to collapse.
It is unclear what caused closure of the hardware business, but residents recall it had been locked up for approximately the last three years, with no indication as to when it would be reopened.
There are unconfirmed reports that a man was seen walking away from the building shortly before neighbours spotted smoke emanating from its interior.
Now that the two families in the neighbouring two-flat wooden building have suffered considerable damage and loss caused by dousing, they are asking who would compensate them for their losses.
Officials on the scene advised them that no compensation is usually given for damage suffered by water at a fire scene.
On the other hand, no one has made any offer to repair their fence, damaged during excavation of the trench.
In the meantime, bandits and ‘junkies’ are reportedly having a field day in that area.