Normal traffic resumed on Strand, as well, but the remnants of burnt old wooden buildings were yesterday still behind Police cordons as people in the town tried to grapple with the enormous loss.

The conflagration in Pitt Street not only changed the landscape but left scores of jobless among onlookers recalling previous days when the thoroughfare was hectic with activity.

While staff helped their employers remove garbage, some persons were scouring the debris for what could be salvaged.

Hazrat Alli, whose two-flat wholesale and retail general store was completely razed, said he would restart sales as soon as a building is available, because he has stocks that were stored elsewhere.

Another businessman, Bryan Mangal, of Future Line Restaurant, also expects to relocate shortly.

Some businessmen have expressed gratitude for the Government offer of duty free concessions on imports needed to resuscitate their enterprises but others voiced disappointment at not being able to access interest free loans to rebuild.

President Bharrat Jagdeo visited the area Monday, inspected the damage and met the displaced owners and their employees.

The Head of State held the meeting at Parkway International Hotel, on Main Street, New Amsterdam, where victims aired their concerns and made suggestions that would get them assistance.

Meanwhile, Pearle Bacchus, a pensioner, of Lot 15 Strand, told the Chronicle her home behind Ganpatsingh Drug Store was completely gutted by the flames.

She said she had left the house to buy food from a nearby Chinese restaurant when the place was also reduced to rubble.

Bacchus said, initially, she did not think she would have been affected, so she watched the spreading flames before returning to find that her dwelling was no longer standing.

The widow and mother of four adults has since been sleeping nights at a relative and walking the streets during the day.