FIRE of unknown origin gutted a two-storey building at Lot 32 Housing Scheme, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara, on Saturday at about 23:45 hrs.Reports reveal that the building had been used as a bond by the Panday family, owners of a chain of stores countrywide, including Avinash and Avishkar.

The fire, battled by ranks of the Guyana Fire Service from Campbellville, Alberttown and Headquarters in Georgetown, destroyed footwear and bales of cloth, among other valuables. According to a neighbour, Balram Singh, the building had no security guard or electricity, and was visited randomly.

“I was asleep and tossing and turning. I hear window breaking and crashing like if it was falling, then I jump up and see my whole house with smoke,” the neighbour said.

Singh said that upon realising there was a fire, he sprinted downstairs and, minutes after, saw the fire engines arriving.

“All I can say is that the firemen really work hard, and they did a good job. I help them out, and they prevented my house from catching fire. If the breeze was blowing loud, my house would have caught afire,” Singh explained.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told this publication that investigators suspect the fire was a deliberate act; and, as investigations continue, a finding will be made.