AN early-morning fire on Thursday destroyed the Colombian Trade Fair popularly called “Stop and Shop,” which was housed in the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) complex, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.The Guyana Chronicle was on site and spoke with owner German Perez, who disclosed that he estimates his losses at approximately $20M. He recounted that the fire started sometime after 2.00

am and it seems as though it started from the front right side of the building.
He further explained that the Guyana Fire service has not pronounced on the cause of the fire as the investigation is still in progress. What he was able to reveal was that “we have reviewed all the cameras around the building and have not been able to conclude the cause of the fire, but it looks as though it started in the front right hand side.”
Perez told this newspaper that the trade fair was set to open its doors on Friday, July 24 and he was hoping to have been in the said location for another four months. Asked what might be his next move, he responded: “I don’t know what my next step is; we have to clean up and see what to do.”
The Chronicle also spoke with owner of the Grill and Fun Park which is also located in the same compound and he noted that his sections were unaffected by the fire. He explained that he was in a state of shock when he arrived at the scene early Thursday morning and expressed his satisfaction with the work of the GFS.