15 buildings destroyed in major fire at Puruni Landing

Oct 10, 2024 News

Red Belly Hotel on fire

Kaieteur News – Fifteen buildings including a restaurant, a fuel bond and a hotel at Puruni Landing in the Mazaruni Region Seven on Wednesday.

In a statement the Guyana Police Force said that the fire broke out at approximately 10:40 hrs. According to the police nine of the buildings belonged to Yvette McDonald, a businesswoman from Enmore, East Coast Demerara; four of the buildings belonged to Floyd Elcock, a businessman of Norton Street, Georgetown; one building belonged to Otis McKenzie, a businessman of Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo; and one building belonged to Williams Cozier, a boat captain from Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.

The fire scene was visited at about 14:30hrs by Police Commander for Regional Division #7, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore; Detective Inspector Henry, Crime Scene Technician Hopkinson, and other ranks. The investigation so far has revealed the following:

** ‘Miners Choice’, owned by Yvette McDonald, consisted of three hotel buildings, a restaurant, workers’ living quarters, a fuel bond, and a nightclub. The business also stored and sold gasoline and diesel on a wholesale and retail basis.

** Floyd Elcock’s businesses included a grocery store, hotel, and restaurant, and he also stored and sold fuel in bulk.

** Otis McKenzie operated a drug store, while Williams Cozier’s building was used for residential purposes.

Preliminary reports suggest the fire started while one of the workers at the ‘Miners Choice’ establishment was selling fuel. Some of the fuel spilt ignited and quickly engulfed the buildings in the compound as well as the surrounding structures. Several rooms at Miners Choice were reportedly occupied at the time of the fire. It was unknown at the time whether all occupants were able to evacuate safely. Perons had suspected that two persons may have perished, but police in a statement late last night said no skeletal reamain were found following a search through the ruble and debris.

“…One of the individuals, initially suspected to have perished in the fire, a female Venezuelan National, was later found on the Landing alive and well”, police said.

The fire has been contained to the affected buildings with the help of public-spirited individuals who used a dredge engine from the Puruni River to assist in extinguishing it. Police ATV 3129, which was used by the ranks based at Puruni Landing, was also destroyed in the fire. The total cost of damage is unknown at this time, and none of the affected buildings are said to be insured. The investigation is ongoing.

In one harrowing clip, a man inside a nearby building was seen desperately trying to escape as flames engulfed the structure. Residents gathered to witness the disaster, with some fleeing due to the intense heat and explosive sounds.

(15 buildings destroyed in major fire at Puruni Landing)

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

'Miners Choice' establishment, Crime Scene, fire, Mazaruni Region Seven, Puruni Landing, Puruni River, Red Belly Hotel, vehicles

Latest News