‘Devastating’ – Parika Market Centre completely destroyed

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is still at the scene of the fire that completely destroyed the entire market centre of the Parika Market on the East Bank of Essequibo and efforts are being made to save the stelling and other buildings in close vicinity.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar during a telephone interview with the News Room said, “the fire started and based on what I was told from the NDC chairman, by the time the fire tenders came and set up, you know the fire spread very quickly so it actually engulf the entire marketing area.”

He added that multiple teams are tackling the fire “from different directions to save the ticketing booth, the Transport and Harbour [Department] and the Fisheries [Department] but the market area, it’s gone a lot of losses, a lot of people trying to save what they can.”

Minister Indar described the fire as “very devastating”, noting that vendors have lost everything.

“You’re seeing tears in people eyes but the guys are working to contain it so that it doesn’t spread to the other buildings, but right now the marketing centre is gone.”

Regional Police Commander, Mahendra Sewnarine told the News Room that no injuries were reported thus far. The Commander noted that the report was received at around 15:30hrs. The Parika Market houses hundreds of vendors, including those from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn is also at the scene consoling the affected vendors.