Four houses were destroyed and another four damaged in the flames which left almost 100 persons homeless and millions of dollars in losses.

Two of the fire victims, Mr. Oscar Nixon, a mechanic and Mr. Neville Marks, a painter, were yesterday contemplating their next move with friends at a shop obliquely opposite the burnt-out structures.

Nixon said he, his wife and daughter had to sleep at his son's small apartment Wednesday night and it was uncomfortable.

He was not sure where he will live now, since he lost all his possessions in the afternoon blaze.

He said the fire swept through the houses so swiftly that he had no chance to save anything. The most important thing was to get out of his house quickly, Nixon said.

Marks declared that he would not be taking up the offer by Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Bibi Shadick, who promised to provide accommodation at the Night Shelter for the fire victims, because of what he said were the unsatisfactory conditions there.

The father of one said he lost everything in the fire.

He said he was staying with his grandmother, also in D'Urban Street, and his reputed wife Maxine Edwards and their son, Shawn Marks are with her mother at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Ms. Ann Craig, whose home was saved, was busy cleaning up debris, but reported that she lost jewellery, money and clothing in the chaos.

She said that during the fire, persons were assisting to remove items from neighbouring homes, including hers.

She said it was not until late in the evening when the fire was eventually doused, and she checked her things through, that she realised the items were missing.

Other neighbours were yesterday also cleaning up in the aftermath of the fire.

Carpets, rugs and mattresses were hanging in yards, and on windows and doors. Persons were also laundering.

Craig criticised the work of firemen who she said arrived on the scene long after, without water.

The blaze reportedly started shortly after 16:00 hrs in the bottom flat of a three-storeyed building at Lot 16, Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge.

Within 15 minutes, the fire was almost out of control, as it was fanned by a strong breeze, and firefighters seemed unable to halt its path of destruction.

The flames soon spread to Lot 15 on the western side and Lot 17 on the eastern flank of the three-flat building.

The fire had been spreading for some 50 minutes and up to that point no fire tender was seen in the vicinity.

Residents and neighbours formed a bucket brigade using water from the drains alongside the road to help fight the devastating fire.