| A fire of unknown origin early yesterday morning destroyed one of the oldest wooden buildings on Main Street, Georgetown. That building housed the Frandec Travel Service, LIAT Airlines Local,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, Dragon Tours and H&F Machinery Inc.Kaieteur News was told that the fire started shortly after 01:00 hrs yesterday.Kathryn Eytle-McLean, the CEO of Frandec,http://www.soccerpro.us.com/Argentina/, said that she received a call some time after midnight informing her about the fire. The woman said that she immediately rushed down to Main Street only to see the decades-old building engulfed in flames.The CEO said that she estimated her losses within the hundreds of millions.“We’ve lost computers and other office equipment, we also lost our records which a priceless.”Further, Mrs. Eytle-McLean said that she was told that persons close by heard three loud explosions.“Persons in the area recalled hearing three explosions with the last one being the loudest….Soon after,China Jerseys, flames were seen.” Frandec is one of the oldest travel agencies in Guyana, representing several international airlines.Meanwhile, an official from LIAT yesterday said that the fire has not disrupted the airline operations.It was explained that the fire merely damaged the equipment and records. An official statement from the company is expected later.Peter Fraser, Chairman of H & F Machinery, described the fire a “tremendous blow for his company”.Fraser said that the lower and middle flats of the building were late last year refurbished and most of the building was rewired.Chief Executive Officer for Dagron Tours,Wholesale NHL Jerseys, Ann Hamilton, told reporters that the entire database (records) for her company have been destroyed.“All the work is gone, my computers,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, my files. There is nowhere for me to go and work,” Hamilton said.The fire occurred just hours before Hamilton was due to meet with a number of tourists.At the scene,Wholesale Jerseys, Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, told reporters that the Guyana Fire Service received the call around 1:30 AM. He too said that there was a loud explosion and that the building was on fire.Kathryn Eytle-McLean CEO Frandec Travel ServiceFire fighters immediately rushed to the scene and quickly got the blaze under control.However, electricity was still being supplied to the area, which caused several fire fighters to receive electric shocks.Yesterday morning the police cordoned off the scene while the fire service conducted their investigations.A few persons who live close by praised the fire service for their swift response.“Is a good thing they came quick because other buildings would have gone up in flames,” one man said.Meanwhile, a source from the fire service has hinted the fire might have been the work of an arsonist.A truck owned by a fish processing company on Holmes Street opposite H&F, was damaged by the fire.The building is insured by the Guyana/Trinidad Mutual Insurance Company. |
