A fire broke out at approximately 10:40 a.m. today, reducing fifteen buildings to ashes at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, in Region Seven. Among the destroyed structures were hotels, restaurants, businesses, and homes, leaving behind a scene of devastation.
Nine of the buildings belonged to Yvette McDonald, a businesswoman from Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Her thriving business, Miners Choice, consisted of three hotel buildings, a restaurant, workers’ living quarters, a fuel bond, and a nightclub. McDonald also stored and sold fuel, which tragically contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
Floyd Elcock, a businessman from Norton Street, Georgetown, lost four buildings in the blaze, including a grocery store, hotel, and restaurant. Elcock, like McDonald, stored and sold fuel in bulk. The remaining buildings belonged to Otis McKenzie, a drug store owner from Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, and Williams Cozier, a boat captain from Tuschen, whose building served as his residence.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire started while a worker at Miners Choice was selling fuel. A spill occurred, which quickly ignited and engulfed the surrounding buildings, leaving little time for the occupants to react. Several rooms at Miners Choice were occupied at the time of the fire, and although some managed to flee, it remains unclear if all were able to escape. The authorities suspect two people may have perished in the blaze, but confirmation is pending due to the overwhelming destruction and debris.
Police Commander for Regional Division #7, Senior Superintendent Dion Moore, and a team of investigators visited the scene at about 2:30 p.m. today. They were met with smoldering ruins and grieving business owners, their livelihoods reduced to ash in mere minutes. With the help of local residents, the fire was eventually contained using a dredge engine from the Puruni River.
In addition to the destruction of businesses, the police ATV used by officers stationed at Puruni Landing was completely destroyed in the fire. None of the affected buildings were insured, and the full extent of the damage remains unknown.
For those who lived and worked at Puruni Landing, the fire has left a profound sense of loss. Families and businesses are left with nothing but charred memories, as the community grapples with the overwhelming devastation. The investigation is ongoing, but the tragedy of today’s events will be felt for a long time.
