Guest escapes by jumping from window as fire destroys Quamina Street building

A guest at the Quamina Street Guest House in Georgetown is counting his blessings after he was forced to jump from a window to escape a fast spreading fire that destroyed the building in the early hours of Wednesday.

The fire occurred at around 02:21 hrs at the Quamina Guest House located at Lot 125 Quamina Street, Georgetown.

According to Fire Chief Gregory Wickham, after the Guyana Fire Service received the call, three fire tenders were dispatched to the scene.

Despite efforts by firefighters to contain the blaze, the three-storey wooden and concrete structure was completely destroyed.

Two persons sustained minor burns and were treated at the hospital.

One of the victims, Merrick Andrews, recounted to the News Room the terrifying moment he was forced to leap for his life.

He told the News Room that he had been lying in bed when he heard people outside shouting that there was a fire.

“I went and peep through the window and I hear this man downstairs shouting that one of the rooms on fire,” Andrews said.

He explained that he initially attempted to make his way downstairs to alert the receptionist, who he said usually sleeps at that time, since the grilled stairway was the only exit.

However, heavy smoke quickly filled the stairwell.

“When I run downstairs smoke just caught me right on the stairs and I decided to turn back,” he said. “I ran back upstairs and when I peep through the window there was a large fire break out on the window,” Andrews said.

Andrews realised he had to act quickly.

“I said you know what this is a life and death situation. I didn’t even think twice, I jump down… I think I passed out because that is the last thing that I remember,” he said.

Returning to the scene later that morning, he said the extent of the destruction left him shaken but grateful to be alive.

“When I came back here this morning I realise the devastation that the fire cause. I had no idea that it was so bad… I mean there is a lot of damage here but we can always recover that. Our life is more important,” Andrews said.

The Guyana Fire Service has since launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.