Fire partly destroys building in Middle St
-site of old Del Casa restaurant
By Nigel Williams
Stabroek News
November 29, 2002
A fire yesterday morning partially destroyed the upper flat of a three-storey building on Middle Street which once housed the Del Casa restaurant.
The building’s caretaker, Paul Ramsaroop, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation suffering from minor burns. He had collapsed while trying to put out the flames. An eyewitness said that Ramsaroop was seen lying on the ground outside of the building a few minutes after he emerged from it. He was later picked up by public-spirited citizens before being given oxygen from one of the new fire tenders recently acquired from the UK by the Guyana Fire Service.
Reports are that the fire started in an overheated air conditioning unit which was inadvertently left on and it quickly spread to the back of the building destroying several pieces of furniture, curtains and other valuable items. When Stabroek News arrived at the scene a huge crowd had gathered in front of the building and thick smoke was billowing from the structure. Dr Don Gomes, who said he had spoken to Ramsaroop before he was rushed to the hospital, related that around 10:30 a.m. Ramsaroop had returned to the house after a brief absence when he saw the building in smoke. Gomes said the young man quickly re-entered the building only to see the air conditioning unit ablaze. The upper flat is well sealed and at the time all the windows were closed. Gomes said Ramsaroop told him that while in the building he tried to put out the flames but was overcome by the smoke and had to leave.
According to Gomes when the man came outside he began to feel dizzy. He collapsed and was revived only to fall down again after which he was rushed to the hospital.
The once-popular, three-flat wood and concrete restaurant is in receivership and is being managed by Maurice Solomon. When Stabroek News arrived on the scene schoolchildren from St Margaret’s Primary School were being taken home by parents after reports circulated that the school was on fire and there was chaos in the area.
At about 10:45 a.m. the firefighters had begun uncoiling their hoses and tackling the fire from both the front and back of the building. They had to break a few windowpanes to allow for the hoses to pass through.
The new fire tenders have respirators and some of the firemen used these. They began to douse the flames at about 10:50 a.m., first soaking the exterior of the building before moving inside.
A few officials from the restaurant’s major creditor, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry arrived on the scene along with the appointed receiver.
Solomon said that the building was due for takeover very soon. He said Ramsaroop had been working at the building as a caretaker/security guard.
The firefighters were able to quell the flames about one hour after it started. The blaze destroyed the upper flat of the building.
Pools of water were evident on the lower floors, while many of the tables and chairs were upturned. Observers praised the fire service’s performance.
