Emergency shelter, relief efforts mobilised after James Street fire displaces dozens

An emergency shelter has been established at the Andrew “Six Head” Lewis Gym on Independence Boulevard to house families left homeless by a devastating fire that ripped through James Street, between Hill and Albouys Streets, on Thursday afternoon.

The shelter, coordinated by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), is currently providing meals, temporary accommodation, and other basic necessities to ensure the comfort and safety of those displaced. It also serves as a central hub for multi-agency relief efforts, linking support for families at the facility and those who have sought alternative accommodation.

Thursday’s mid-afternoon blaze destroyed five buildings, including two residential apartments and a meat shop, leaving more than 30 people without homes or possessions. Many victims lost furniture, household items, vital documents, and business inventory.

The CDC said it has been mandated to lead the relief response and is working alongside partner agencies such as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the Ministry of Education, other relevant ministries, and the private sector. Together, they are providing welfare assistance, psychosocial support, and other critical services to help affected families recover.

Public-spirited citizens have also stepped forward with donations and other acts of kindness, which the CDC described as a vital show of solidarity. “Such collective compassion continues to strengthen Guyana’s disaster response and community resilience,” the Commission noted.

The CDC reaffirmed its commitment to working with all partners to ensure that the immediate and long-term needs of the displaced are met, even as it continues its broader mandate of promoting preparedness and safety within communities.