The blaze, which broke out at about 09:40 hrs, started at the bond owned by prominent businessman, Ahmad Alli and virtually shut down the Berbice township.

His wife, Bibi Zalika fainted at the site and had to be transported in a chair to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was admitted.

According to reports, the fire began on the upper flat of the building which stored flammable material.

Richard Patterson, Inspector, Berbice Sugar Estates, said he was at the Coburgh Street junction when he saw black smoke billowing in the eastern sky. As he drew closer, he noticed a small fire coming from the bond of A. Alli and Sons General and Hardware Store.

Patterson said he communicated via radio with the operator at the Rose Hall Estate where he instructed fire tenders from that estate and the one at Albion, along with a crew, be sent to the scene.

On arrival, they proceeded to the public road, about 150 yards away from the bond, to access water in the nearby canal. There were no fire hydrants in the vicinity.

Quick coordination of the fire crew raised hopes that damage would have been minimal, but the flammable articles in the building, an eastern wind and low water pressure caused residents to panic in fear that the blaze would spread.

The heat was intense and tears streamed from the eyes of onlookers who prayed for rain to contain it. There were light showers, but these could not quench the flames.

Stores located on the western half of Pitt Street quickly closed their doors as owners ran to the scene to give assistance and members of the business community lent their vehicles to transport articles from the adjoining store to another bond at Sheet Anchor, East Canje.

Angelika said she had gone to assist a friend to remove household articles from her Cooper's Lane home, adjacent to the bond on the other street.

She said neighbours asked members of the store staff to open the bond so that they can assist in saving its contents, but they refused, saying that items would have been stolen. The bond had zinc sheets, paint, bicycles, mattresses and PVC fittings, among other things.

Alli, who denied the report, said a staffer who was taking stock noticed black smoke coming from the upper section of the bond and notified him on the intercom.

He recalled that the building was almost gutted in 1998 when fire razed adjoining properties, but comforted himself by saying, "God gives and He takes and if this is what He allowed, there is nothing I can do. But I am thankful that my life is spared."

"I know if this incident had occurred in the night, the destruction would have been greater, maybe lives might have been lost," the businessman said.

Appearing composed, Alli said it was fortunate that he was able to save his records, though at one time he thought that might have been impossible, and he is happy his adjoining store and home were not destroyed.

The concrete wall of a three-storey building being constructed on the premises "prevented the fire from engulfing my home and I am grateful," he added.

He noted that his staff of 50 will not be out of employment as he will reopen shortly.

"Though it is a distressing moment, it is also a comforting time, as all is not lost", the businessman added.

Meanwhile, a Police cordon could not prevent looting by some individuals who were seen walking away with bicycles and PVC pipelines. An employee, Nazmoon Ally, reported that what was most distressing was that persons removed the firm's identification badges from staff members and used these to gain entry to the store and the residence of her employer.

She said bedrooms were ransacked and articles were removed and bags left in the store were also searched and monies stolen.

Police ranks were efficient in restoring law and order and nabbed a looter with a stabiliser, which he had concealed in his pants.

Alli, commenting on the looting, said it could not have been prevented, remarking that he sometimes has to lose. He expressed gratitude to members of the Fire Service, Police, the Guyana Sugar Corporation and business community and public-spirited citizens who acted in his interest.