Rex Paint store destroyed by fire

The BR&T Paint Store popularly known as ‘Rex Paint Store’ located at Grove, East Bank Demerara was completely destroyed by a fire of unknown origin on Thursday.

The fire started just after 11:00hrs and also destroyed the building next door. The News Room understands that the store also sold hardware items and has been in operation for several years.

Tamika Braithwaite, who lives next door, said she was inside her house when she observed thick black smoke emanating from the store.

“I was inside and I came to the front door and saw some black smoke and I run back inside to see if I can save stuff but I heard some explosion started going on and both houses [store and her house] were filled with black smoke and I just grab my important documents and run out,” Braithwaite told reporters at the scene.

She noted that while the Guyana Fire Service arrived promptly, the fire had already engulfed the two-storey concrete building.

She is, however, thankful that they were able to save her house.

“When I saw the fire, I said that was it, [my house] going up in flames.”

She revealed that only one of her bedrooms sustained some water damage “but no major damage.”

Firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire.