THE cause of the blaze that razed the top flat of a wooden two-storey dwelling house on East Street, Georgetown on Tuesday afternoon has not yet been established as the probe is incomplete. This is according to Guyana Fire Service Divisional Officer of Operations, Compton Sparman.

The top flat of the house at Lot 345 East Street was destroyed when fire of an unknown origin ripped through the building following an explosion.

Sparman said the GFS received a call at about 15:03 hrs through the 912 hotline, reporting that a building was engulfed in flames.

He said that, during the investigation, they will check the debris and take statements from occupants of the building.

Eyewitnesses said they had seen thick smoke and fire billowing from the top flat of the house and called the GFS, and they arrived within minutes and went into firefighting mode.

They noted that the fire started from the back of the house on the top flat, and at that time no one was at home.

Noel Mohabir, who occupied the bottom flat of the house, said he was not at home when the fire started, but he received a call and showed up, but there was nothing he could do.

The building is owned by David John, who reportedly resides overseas while his sister used to occupy the top flat. (Michel Outridge)