Latest update April 7th, 2025 12:08 AM
Fire guts 50-year-old Marics building
Police are trying to ascertain the origin of a fire that left millions of dollars in damage at the 50-year-old Marics and Company Motor Spares and Workshop building in Charlotte Street shortly after 02:00 hrs yesterday.
Staff were unable to save these vehicles from the blaze
Information gleaned from a security guard on the premises indicates that the blaze was of electrical origin, but police have cordoned off the scene to allow fire experts to conduct further investigators.
Security personnel and nearby residents managed to save several cars, motorcycles, generators and motor spares from damage.
However, at least ten cars, computers, and company records were left on the premises and are among items that were destroyed.
Mrs. Jeanne Mendonca, who runs the company, told Kaieteur News she was unable to estimate her losses, since she has not been allowed access to the property until the investigation is complete.
According to a police source, officials from the Guyana Fire Service were waiting for a team from the Guyana Power and Light to visit the scene.
For several years, Marics has been the main supplier of motorcycles to the Guyana Police Force. The motorcycles used by the police are also repaired at the company’s workshop.
Two security guards from the Property Protection Services Limited (PPS) were on duty when the fire started.
One of the guards told Kaieteur News that he was patrolling the compound around 14:00 hrs when he heard a ‘crackling’ sound. He then saw smoke emanating from the eastern section of the building.
According to a PPS official, the guard alerted his colleague and two businessmen who live close to the Marics premises.
Some of the motorcycles that were saved
With the men’s assistance, they managed to remove some cars which were in close proximity to the burning building.
Kaieteur News was told that firefighters arrived shortly after and managed to prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
Mrs. Mendonca said that she was informed about the blaze some time after 02:00 hrs and a friend took her to the scene.
“It (the fire) moved very quickly. All I could do was stand up at watch (the building burn).”
She disclosed that the business hit the 50-year-milestone on August 1. The building housed a workshop, motorcycle and spare parts store, and also sold generators, brush-cutters and other items.
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