By Latoya GilesPersons closely associated with the “Jaigobin building” which was destroyedThe remains of the buildingby a fire of unknown origin on Sunday morning, are debunking rumours that there was an ongoing property dispute.One relative explained that there is “rift” between siblings who own the property. It was explained that the property was left for four siblings– three sisters and a brother. Kaieteur News was further told that although the matter is before a judge in the High Court,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, it was there to ensure that the “will” is properly probated.The relative insisted that none of the siblings has problems or anything “ill feeling” towards the proceedings.Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle yesterday stated that they are continuing their investigations. He said that they have not made any pronouncements on the cause of the fire. He could not give a specific deadline when the report would be completed.Gentle further stated that it was a miracle that the fire did not spread to other buildings because the contents inside were highly combustible.Store owner Dallip Murjani was still in tears, yesterday. Murjani could not give a specific figure for his losses, but said it was in the millions of dollars. He now contemplates his next move which he says would be “rough”. He like the other store owners did not have any insurance.The stores, Dalip Variety, Akash People’s Variety Store, Prakash Discount Store and Monty Smart Choice Store were all housed inside the Jaigobin building, which is located at the corner of Regent and Wellington Streets, opposite the Guyoil Gas Station. Several others suffered from major water damage.According to eyewitnesses, the fire started some time after 05:00hrs. Good work by fire fighters enabled them to contain the blaze to the Jaigobin building alone,Jerseys From China, saving other stores within close proximity.Fire Chief Marlon Gentle had stated that the Fire Service received a telephone call around 5:35am on Sunday from a male, stating that he saw flames in the building. Gentle said that the units responded immediately,Cheap Jerseys From China, two from the Central Fire Station and one from Alberttown.He said that when the units arrived, thick smoke and flames were seen in Dalip’s Variety Store, which is located on the upper floor of the building. According to the Fire Chief,Jerseys NFL Cheap, the building was heavily grilled and contained shutters, which initially hampered the work of the fire fighters.He further told the media that the building had a variety of items inside,Wholesale China Jerseys, such as batteries, aerosols, plastics and clothing, all of which would have fuelled the blaze.The Fire Chief said that it took very little time for the entire wooden building to become engulfed in flames.Gentle said that as the fire threat was raised, a second alarm went out and two other units were dispatched to the scene, one from West Ruimveldt and the other from Campbellville.Many “experts” at the scene were critical of the methods employed by the fire service and openly voiced their displeasure.The Fire Chief explained that firefighters used the heavy capacity hose-laying lorry which brought up water from the North Road Canal to the building.Gentle said that despite what people are saying, the Fire Service had to put up with two security barriers which caused a delay. He said that he could not risk sending men into a building which had heavy smoke, adding that one needed to take the fire fighters’ safety into account before they committed them to enter the building.As the blaze began to die down, other irate storeowners disregarded orders and broke the doors of their buildings to access their belongings. With the help of workers and residents,Jerseys Cheap NFL, they quickly loaded trucks as they tried to save goods that were not damaged.Kaieteur News was told that several bags containing money were also found in the stores. Police Divisional Commander George Vyphuis had his ranks on high alert to prevent any form of looting. |