Sparks from welding work possible cause of fire at Parika Market

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn on Friday revealed that sparks from welding works could be the possible cause of the fire that completely destroyed the market centre at the Parika Market, East Bank Essequibo on Friday afternoon.

According to Benn, based on preliminary investigation, the sparks were too close to flammable substances.

“We understand but we have to clarify that there was welding ongoing in the building and that there were sparks that fell onto flammable substances,” Benn told reporters at the scene.

He said the fire, which occurred just around 15:30hrs, destroyed the entire market centre.

The Security Minister explained that four fire tenders responded and after utilising all the water, they relied on an open source, a nearby river, to further extinguish the blaze.

“We have challenges still but we have it under control from spreading and in terms of getting it properly doused.”

As a result of the Fire Service using water from the river, vessels cannot offload at the ferry stelling.

Officials from the government will be meeting with the affected vendors who lost millions of dollars in merchandise. None of them has insurance.