DDL resumes most operations after fire at Diamond facility

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has confirmed the successful resumption of production at several of its facilities, following a fire last Friday at one of its key power plants located at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

DDL said less than a week after the blaze broke out in the power station housing essential generators for the complex, operations are now returning to normal.

The TOPCO plant, responsible for producing Topco fruit juices and Savannah milk products, is fully operational. The Wines and Spirits plant is currently running in partial capacity, while the non-alcoholic beverage plant is expected to return to full production by the weekend. The distillery is anticipated to restart shortly.

The fire is believed to have originated from one of the seven generators located in the power station, which had recently undergone scheduled maintenance by the equipment supplier.

The fire quickly spread, engulfing the entire building, which housed all of the facility’s generators. This power station had previously supplied all of the energy necessary for the site’s operations.

Despite the extent of the fire, the efforts of the DDL firefighting team, supported by the Guyana Fire Service, successfully contained the blaze to the power station. This prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the facility and threatening additional infrastructure.

Importantly, no employees were injured in the incident, and no jobs were affected. The swift resumption of production at the TOPCO plant meant there were no disruptions in the purchase of products from fruit farmers. DDL is also working closely with its network of resellers to mitigate any potential losses from stock shortages caused by the fire.

The directors and management of DDL have expressed their sincere thanks to the emergency services that responded to the fire and helped with the subsequent recovery efforts. The Guyana Fire Service’s rapid response was instrumental in limiting the damage, while the Guyana Police Force provided crucial security during the operation. Guyana Power and Light also responded swiftly, supplying power to ensure proper lighting during the firefighting efforts.

“We are extremely grateful for the professionalism and dedication of all those involved in managing this situation,” a press release noted. “Their quick actions ensured the minimal impact on our operations and workforce, and we look forward to resuming full capacity shortly.”