A Corentyne businessman is left to pick up the pieces after his home was destroyed by fire. The man, 50-year-old Ramesh Khemraj of Lot 26 Number 70 Village, Corentyne said he was in neighbouring Suriname when was informed of the fire and returned home immediately. The man puts his losses at approximately $60 million.
The businessman said he imports biodegradable food boxes along with other items from China. Prior to that, the now-gutted building housed a supermarket. According to the devastated man whenever he leaves his home, the main switch is turned off but failed to so on his trip to Suriname. He explained that his refrigerator was left one, but said he is not sure whether the fire was an electrical one.
Khelaree Roopnarine, 61, the brother of Khemraj disclosed that upon arriving on the scene he saw smoke emanating from the building. He noted that the Corriverton fire department was informed of the incident along with two other fire departments. The man said the tenders arrived almost an hour after being informed of the incident.
Despite the best efforts of neighbours to save the building, the fire was too large to be extinguished by a bucket brigade.
Eyewitnesses said the fire became out of control after spreading to a nearby beer garden which was also completely burnt.
Sabie Khemraj, Ramesh Khemraj’s sister owned the Beer Garden. Sabie currently resides in Holland, but another brother manages the business in her absence, while her father 88-year-old Khemraj takes care of her home which is connected to the beer garden.
According to the elderly Khemraj, he smelled smoke and upon inquiring he saw the neighbouring house up in flames.
The elderly Khemraj said he did not believe that his home would have been caught in the process, as such he went to render assistance to extinguish the blaze at his son’s residence.
The pensioner explained his home was eventually destroyed. An investigation is currently ongoing by the Guyana Fire Service.