Millions in loss reported as Guyana fire damages major businesses

A massive fire on Monday morning destroyed several businesses, including a hotel, restaurant, sports bar and an upholstery operation in Corriverton, Region Six of Guyana.

As per the reports, two long-standing businesses were affected the most, including the upholstery business owned by Mahendra Persaud and the Ritz Hotel and Restaurant owned by Kamaldeo Othra. He also revealed that more than $4 million in materials and tools were destroyed in the fire. [caption id="attachment_67268" align="alignleft" width="306"] Fire at Mahin and Sons Upholstery[/caption]

Both the owners are in a state of huge shock as they are counting millions of dollars in losses after the fire of unknown origin destroyed their businesses.

According to the initial reports, at 9:34 am, the Fire Service received a call alerting them about the fire, following which Water Tender #101 from the Corriverton Fire Station, supported by Water Tender #78 from Rose Hall, and their crews responded.

The first appliance of fire services arrived on the scene at 9:39 am. On arrival, firefighters found that one building had been completely destroyed and another fully engulfed in flames and smoke.

The fire was initiated at Mahin and Sons Upholstery, then spread to Ritz Hotel and Bar, subsequently impacting Vishnu's.

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During an interview, the owner of Mahin and Sons Upholstery, Mahendra Persaud, revealed that around 9 am yesterday, he was at work when he saw the smoke coming out of a room.

After noticing the smoke he rushed to see but in a just a few minutes the fire spread to the entire building that he rented for 15 years. Persaud added that that after some minutes the fire spreaded to the Ritz Hotel, restaurant as well as the sports bar.

In addition to this, the police reports also added that a section of a nearby mall was also damaged. On the other hand, the owner of the Ritz Business, Kamaldai Ootra, narrated that she was on the bottom floor of the building when her granddaughter came shouting at her and said that there was smoke next door. Ootra stated that the fire spread from her neighbour's property to hers and started to burn on the third floor of her business. "I know if the fire service had met her on time, my building would have been saved," she revealed. She was unable to estimate her losses. Moreover, the Guyana Fire Service said that they are yet to determine the cause of the fire that cause so much destruction in the area.