A COMMITTEE has been established to look into ways of helping victims of the fire that destroyed some 15 business places in Pitt Street, New Amsterdam last week.

On the committee are about five members representing the Government and four business owners who suffered from the devastating fire, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday.

President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday stopped at the scene during a visit to Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

He inspected the damaged buildings and met owners of the businesses and some affected workers, GINA said.

Reports said about 100 persons are now jobless after the early Saturday morning fire.

The President met fire victims at the Parkway Hotel where they were given the opportunity to explain their experiences and losses.

Suggestions were also made for the Government to assist the victims. Some of the gutted buildings are insured while others were not, GINA said.

"There could never be full compensation for your losses but we will do whatever it takes to help people", President Jagdeo told the meeting.

He said the Government is concerned about what had happened and immediately after the fire on Saturday morning, Minister of Local Government, Mr. Harripersaud Nokta and other Government officials inspected the scene.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manzoor Nadir also visited the area Saturday afternoon.

The President said he had heard several reasons why the fire was not contained faster and some of these included a slow response from the Fire Department, not enough water in the system and a breach of the building codes.

However, the Guyana Fire Service yesterday refuted charges of negligence or arriving late on the scene, GINA said.

The department said it arrived three minutes after the fire started and although there were minor initial problems, the situation was handled satisfactorily.

Some of the businesses destroyed by the fire and looted were King's Jewellery World, Temptation Boutique, Petma Loo Bar and Night Club, Rayon House of Fashion, Gems Fashion, Trans Photo Lab, Computer Training Centre and Travel Service, Hazarat Ali and Sons General Store and Future Line Fast Food.

The owners of Sue and Naz Jewellery explained that their store was robbed during the disaster while Shers Fashion and other business places were broken into and looted.

President Jagdeo yesterday also met citizens of New Amsterdam along the market square on Strand Road.

He listened to several concerns raised and advised persons on what they should do to get help, GINA said.

He also made appointments for some citizens to meet his staff at the Office of the President so that their problems can be addressed, it said.

Issues raised with the President included regularisation of housing areas in the region and social welfare.

The President also inspected the site for the new hospital that will be constructed in New Amsterdam by the Japanese Government.

In addition, he met high-level members of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service, GINA said.

Meanwhile, the Regional Administration of Region Six has expressed its deep sadness to the business community of New Amsterdam.

In a statement, it noted that "a state of shock has overcome the entire town as owners of the destroyed business places try to face the reality of the tremendous losses, running into millions of dollars."

It pointed out that the origin of the fire was uncertain and that investigations were under way.

"The after effects of this tragedy will impact heavily on our business community", it said, adding that there was loss of employment and income for several hundred persons.

The Regional Administration joined the business community in condemning the looting of nearby stores during the fire.

It said this was a "dastardly, heinous and shameful act" and called on the Police to investigate and apprehend those involved.

"We join with the business community in expressing our deep sadness to those who suffered losses and extend a hand of friendship and understanding with the hope that we can work together to rise once again from the ashes", the statement said.