A FIRE early Sunday morning in Mon Repos destroyed a flat wooden building where a couple operated a shopping mall.
The fire, which reportedly started just after 06.00 hours, was spotted by a resident who was passing by at the time.

After the alarm was raised, persons in the neighbourhood gathered at the scene of the fire, where they remained until the fire tender arrived. But with the gate to the property being well secured, persons could not access the building readily.
Proprietor, Raul Anthony Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle Sunday morning that the lot 94 Melsha Road business, named Tony and Cavita’s Shopping Mall, has been in operation for some time now.
He said he and his wife have been slowly recovering from the destruction, by fire in March 2007, of a previous venture they ran from the very location. That operation, called Brian’s Variety Store, was housed in a two-storeyed building.
Persaud said he was heading to the Mon Repos Market to set up his stall, which he does every Saturday and Sunday, when he noticed that his business place was on fire.

Except for a security light on the front of the building, he said they never leave on any electrical appliances in the building after they close for the day.
Among items that went up in flames in the course of the fire were cell-phone accessories, televisions and other electrical appliances, and clothing.
Persaud could not give an immediate estimate for the damage and loss of his property. Asked about his next move, the businessman said all he can do is trust in the Lord, as it is He who brought him thus far.
As the fire raged Sunday, it took two fire tenders — one from the city, and another from GuySuCo (the Guyana Sugar Corporation) to bring it under control and contain it to just the one building.
By Leroy Smith