POLICE and fire service officials are probing a suspected arson that gutted the Caricom Auto Sales building located at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara on Friday, leaving millions of dollars in losses.

The fire started around 14:00 hours and quickly ripped through the building. However, quick response by the Guyana Fire Service prevented further destruction to a nearby home and a Chinese window factory.
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at the scene, the property owner, Imran Inshan, said he was a few yards away when he saw his workers running out of the building as smoke emanated from inside.

Inshan said according to his workers, a man, who had on a mask, went into the building to inquire about vehicle spare parts.
An employee told the customer that they did not have the parts he requested and the man requested that the employee light a piece of “pink paper” and the employee did. The man then threw the paper into the office.

The businessman explained that paper was laced with gasoline and shortly after a loud explosion was heard and the fire quickly spread.
The man quickly ran out the building, got onto this bicycle and rode away. The police was summoned and nearby CCTV footages will be reviewed.
According to the businessman, the building had about $80M worth in spare parts while the structure itself is valued at over $70M