A DEVASTATING fire swept through Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, in Region Seven on Wednesday morning, completely destroying fifteen buildings and leaving two persons feared dead.
The fire, which began around 10:40 hours, consumed several businesses and residential properties, causing widespread damage and losses.

Among the structures lost in the blaze were nine buildings belonging to businesswoman Yvette McDonald of Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Her properties included the well-known establishment “Miners Choice,” which consisted of three hotel buildings, a restaurant, workers’ living quarters, a fuel bond, and a nightclub. Additionally, McDonald stored and sold gasoline and diesel on a wholesale and retail basis.

Four of the buildings were owned by Floyd Elcock, a businessman of Norton Street, Georgetown. His businesses included a grocery store, a hotel, a restaurant, and bulk fuel storage. Otis McKenzie, a businessman from Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, owned a drug store, while Williams Cozier, a boat captain from Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, lost his residential property in the fire.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire started while a worker at McDonald’s “Miners Choice” was selling fuel. It is believed that fuel spillage ignited, causing the fire to spread rapidly throughout the compound and adjacent structures. Several rooms at the hotel were reportedly occupied at the time, and while many were able to escape, authorities fear that two individuals may have perished in the flames. However, due to the severity of the destruction, this remains unconfirmed as investigators continue to sift through the rubble.

Senior Superintendent Dion Moore, Police Commander for Regional Division #7, along with other law enforcement officials, visited the scene at about 14:30 hours on Wednesday. They were accompanied by Detective Inspector Henry, Crime Scene Technician Hopkinson, and other ranks.

Local residents and public-spirited individuals played a crucial role in preventing further destruction, using a dredge engine from the nearby Puruni River to help contain the blaze. Despite their efforts, the fire destroyed all fifteen buildings before it was brought under control.

In addition to the properties lost, the police’s all-terrain vehicle (ATV) used by officers stationed at Puruni Landing was also destroyed in the fire.

The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, and none of the affected buildings were insured. As investigations continue, authorities are working to confirm the identities of the possible victims and assess the overall impact of the tragedy.