The Sunday afternoon fire that broke out at the head office complex of Francis Shurland and Sons Inc of Adventure, Essequibo Coast and had threatened a fuel bond on the premises is believed to be electrical in origin.
Breaking out at around 14:30 hrs, the fire destroyed the first building in the compound, but fuel was stored in another building at the back of the compound.
Head of the Anna Regina Fire Station, Clive McDonald, on Monday confirmed that investigators have looked at reports that a rotten Guyana Power and Light (GPL) electricity pole with lamp had fallen on the now destroyed building prior to the fire.
He said the Anna Regina Fire Station responded promptly, but the building was immediately engulfed in flames, hence the structure was gutted.
McDonald said 4 firefighters had managed to extinguish the flames and save the huge fuel tanks that were in the compound.
Meanwhile, the businessman’s son, David Shurland said no word or feedback has been received from the GPL, while noting that his company’s losses have amounted to millions.
The buildings, measuring approximately 60 feet x12 feet, and 15feet x13feet’, usually used for storing lubricants, tyres and other combustibles, were severely damaged. (Indrawattie Natram)
