Businessman eager to ‘build back’ after fire destroys store bond

Businessman Zaid Mohammed is eager to return to normal business operations soonest after a massive fire on Monday destroyed the bond located behind his hardware store at Felicity, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The News Room understands that the fire started at around 16:00hrs on Monday and two fire engines immediately responded. Because the bond housed flammable materials such as paint and plywood, it was difficult to extinguish the flames.

Mohammed, on Tuesday morning, told the News Room that he has not been able to quantify his losses.

“I can’t (estimate the losses) but it is a lot because the bond at the back was full,” Mohammed said.

He, however, noted that the bond was fully-stocked as he already purchased materials to sell for the Christmas season.

The businessman says his insurance will not cover his losses but he plans to “build back as early as possible”.

The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. A release from the Guyana Fire Service, however, noted that unconfirmed reports suggest that welding was being done in the bond, in close proximity to the flammable materials. It is suspected that this started the fire.

Investigations are still continuing.