A fire suspected to be of electrical origin has ravaged a section of the Corriverton market.
The incident occurred around 18:45 on Monday, and initial reports suggest that the fire started on the southern side of the market, causing significant damage.
The Guyana Fire Service promptly responded to the scene, dispatching fire tenders from the Corriverton Fire Station, Rose Hall, and New Amsterdam.
Their swift efforts contained and extinguished the fire, preventing further escalation.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire originated from an electric fan left running in one of the stalls.
The overheating of the fan led to the ignition of nearby flammable materials.
Following the incident, a technical team from the Ministry of Local Government was dispatched to assess the integrity of the market facility.
Local Government Minister Anand Persaud, along with Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and regional authorities, visited the site to meet with affected vendors.
Minister Persaud stated that a comprehensive approach would be taken, involving investigations by the fire department, structural assessments, and immediate restoration measures.
The goal is to prevent further damage to the exposed structure, considering the potential impact of the elements.
The affected vendors were seen removing their belongings to safety, and the government is committed to supporting the restoration efforts to ensure the market’s functionality and the well-being of the vendors.