The blaze reportedly started at about 23:45 hrs at the J&N supermarket and destroyed the businesses, all located on Pitt Street.

According to reports, guards attached to the GEB were alerted by the smoke detectors installed in the J&N supermarket. Reports are that tardiness on the part of the Fire Service and low pressure resulted in the spread of the fire.

Carlton Loo, proprietor of Petma Loo Liquor restaurant, which was destroyed, said he had gone to the Fire Department to alert officers there of the fire. Twenty minutes later, no tender had arrived on the scene, Loo said.

Loo, who was in operation for more than 35 years, said that he was forced to leave the scene after power lines, which were not yet disconnected, began to spark, causing those gathered to run for fear of being electrocuted.

The fire moved east and west of the supermarket destroying Hack Street Store, Bahadur’s restaurant, Rayon House of Fashion, Future Line Restaurant, Trans-Guyana Computer School, Gordon’s Boutique, Aaron Jewel Store, Haribol Dry Store, Michael’s Cosmetics, Dynamic Sounds Cassette Shop, MC Colman Record and CD shop.

Fanned by the wind and fuelled by explosive substances and sparking wires, the fire quickly ignited buildings on the other side of the street, bringing destruction to Hazrat General Store, Kings Jewel Store, Temptation Boutique and an unoccupied concrete structure owned by Hussain. The building, which housed the Ganpatsingh Drug Store for decades on Water Street, south of Petma Loo Building, was also gutted.

It is believed that the concrete wall of this unfinished edifice prevented the fire from destroying the entire New Amsterdam main shopping area.

The heat was intense. Tears streamed from the eyes of those on the scene and some proprietors fainted at the sight of their assets and investments going up in flames. Some openly prayed for divine intervention to contain the blaze.

While the firemen were battling the blaze, policemen turned out in large numbers and were efficient in restoring law and order. They fired shots in the air as a looter tried to escape with a handful of clothing from a boutique which was not destroyed.

Owners of other businesses quickly aided the affected members of the business community by lending their vehicles to assist in transporting articles from businesses which were not yet under fire.

Residents in the area said they hear loud explosions from about 300 meters from the scene of the fire.

Kings Jewel World’s branch manager, Mr. Winston Patterson, said he responded to a telephone call from GEB Guard Services at about 00:15 hrs. Contractors working on the site of the Kings building who had tried to out the blaze at J&N Supermarket by throwing sand, were forced to retreat because of the sparking wires caused

Ganesh Persuad owner of the Temptation Boutique, expressed optimism and promised to reopen shortly should the process of building permits be expedited.

One businessman who preferred anonymity said the major cause of the fire was congestion. He called on the Central Housing and Planning Authority to work with the business community and the Town Council to address this issue in an expeditious manner.

Referring to the Regent Street fire, where businesses became operable in less than a year, the contractor said the opportunity has arisen to put strategic planning in place such as security and sanitation to avoid the ‘box’ situation.

Another Branch Manager, Ryan Spencer, of Rayon House of Fashion told the Chronicle the incident was unfortunate and though no life has been lost, his business lost everything.

He estimated his losses in excess of a billion dollars which included fabric and videocassettes.

Mr. Hazart Ally was too distraught to speak, except to say “all is lost there is nothing I can do.”

Meanwhile Arjune of Trans-Photo Lab and Computer Centre said his loss is great after years of hard work and achievements all have gone in a flash. The buildings was equipped with several computers, scanners a brand new digital lab among other things.

Tula Persaud Udit, who did business at the site for over 12 years, was overwhelmed and had to be comforted.

The businesswoman said, her husband and business partner is currently in Bombay, India, but would be returning shortly since she had dispatched an email to him concerning the disaster.

She said many opportunities arose for the family to migrate to the United States, but her husband, being patriotic, decided to remain. He had travelled to the Asian continent to seek markets so as to expand his business.

Many other businessmen/ women expressed disbelief at their misfortune, but still believed behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining.

Meanwhile traffic from the main road and Water Street was halted for several hours and up to 15:00 hrs, firemen were still trying to control the smoking debris.

President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to visit the area tomorrow where he will address issues of insurance and rebuilding, among other things.