By Royan Abrams
An elderly man has died, and multiple business owners are facing significant losses after a devastating fire in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.
The blaze, of unknown origin, destroyed two buildings and partially damaged a third on Monday evening.
The fire reportedly started around 5:45 PM in the building housing the Nalico & Nafico Insurance Office on the lower flat.
The upper flat was home to 53-year-old Carl Persaud, who was trapped inside and later found dead in the debris.
The second building destroyed by the fire contained a pharmacy and a jewelry shop on the lower flat, while the upper flat was vacant.
The third building, which housed two businesses on the lower flat, sustained partial damage to its upper flat.
Jonathan Persaud, the son of the deceased, shared that he was on his way back from Georgetown when he learned about the fire.
He recounted how efforts to locate his father were in vain until it was too late.
Several business owners affected by the fire voiced their concerns and frustrations, particularly criticizing the Guyana Fire Service’s response to the incident.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, and other senior government officials were present at the scene, offering comfort and support to those affected.