West Ruimveldt house destroyed by fire; owner suspects arson

A wooden and concrete two-storey building was completely destroyed by fire on Tuesday night at Lot 27 Shoppers Lane, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The fire started at around 20:00hrs.

The building has been abandoned for approximately five years, according to its owner Stephen Clark.

Clark works at the Ice Factory where he currently resides.

He believes it was an act of arson because he received several threats in the past from persons who wanted to burn the building.

“…I caught them on two occasions late in the night but they decide now they got to do it when I come out…” he alleged.

Clark said the house was built in 1972 and he inherited the property from his family.

“[My] relatives overseas have been talking about breaking down the house and building a four-storey building but I prefer to see the finance ready and everything in order before we talk about breaking down.

“…if today or tomorrow I am fired, I must have somewhere to go,” he said.

The Guyana Fire Service which is located just a street away, arrived shortly after the blaze started but was unable to save the structure, which was partly furnished.