Arsonists torch excavation equipment

Jun 06, 2014 News

….acts are regular occurrence

A piece of excavating machinery owned by Peter Lewis, General Construction was torched beyond repair sometime around 20:00 hrs on Wednesday night. He is sure it was an act of arson. Lewis, speaking to this newspaper at the Albion Estate Road location where the machinery had been stationed for the past two days, stated that he has since made a report to the Crime Chief of ‘B’ Division and the Commander and believes that the perpetrators will be apprehended and dealt with. The fire apparently started from the seat of the equipment.

Peter Lewis standing next to the equipment torched by fire.

Lewis received a telephone call around 20:37 hrs from Mr. Manoj of Spready’s Bakery and Snackette at Port Mourant that one of his machineries at Albion Road “was on fire.” Upon arrival at the scene, Lewis tried to extinguish the flames which engulfed the entire interior control panels of the SK1020 Komatsu Skid Steer.
A bucket brigade was formed by persons who were assisted by the Fire Tenders from the Albion Estate. But there was nothing really to salvage since it was perhaps too late. The flames engulfed the interior of the equipment.
The machinery had been stationed there for the past two days loading materials to take to Rose Hall Town since the construction firm has been doing some repairs to Arch Road, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne.
No one nearby saw or heard anything. Lewis, speaking about the damages said, “I think it is totally destroyed— it cost me about $6M but if you should buy one in Guyana here, it will cost maybe 10M.”
Lewis is certain that the act was one of arson, since person or persons have sabotaged his vehicles and road- building equipment in the past. He also added that the officials from the Guyana Fire Service are almost certain it was an act of arson.
“Sabotage on my machines—yes—like taking out parts of trucks; chopping of the excavator hydraulic ramps; breaking of lamps; scratching of well- painted machinery. It has been an ongoing thing for the past three years, and I have my views on it which I won’t mention here.”
The contractor said that this is the largest loss he has ever experienced. “I must say that I was expecting this. I told the Commander and Crime Chief in Berbice earlier because there is some hearsay on the road. It got back to me—and they were very helpful— the patrols pass through the area, then left, but this is something I foresee. I can’t mention names here.”
“I think they will find the perpetrators because, in this case, there is some concrete evidence. There is no proof it was an electrical fire, because if you look at the back, the battery is very intact—nothing happened there in the battery area,” Lewis told this publication.

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