At about 20:15 hours last evening the Guyana Fire Service responded to a fire at the China Star Supermarket, located at Commercial Zone Lethem, Region 9, after vigilant firefighters noticed smoke and flames emanating from the building.

The structure involved was a wooden and concrete building of two floors which was operated as a general store and served as the living quarters of Wuumo Cheng and Wuujian Giun.

One water tender and crew from the Lethem Fire Station, along with Auxiliary Firefighters immediately responded to the scene and with the use of a pressurized fire hydrant they were able to extinguish the blaze and save several buildings in close proximity to the China Star Supermarket.

However, the China Star Supermarket was destroyed leaving two persons homeless and more than ten persons jobless.

Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Robeson Benn, Chief Fire Officer (ag) Gregory Wickham, Fire Prevention Officer, Sheldon Sauns and a team of investigators today visited the location to assess the damage and ascertain what caused the fire.

The team met with John Macedo, the mayor of Lethem, operators of the China Star Supermarket, representatives of the local business community, and other residents to discuss the way forward and the required steps that must be taken to prevent a repeat of such a significant loss by fire.

One of the issues that will soon be addressed is the certification of buildings in the commercial area to ensure that they are in keeping with the building codes, since the design of the China Star Supermarket as well as the materials used in its construction hampered firefighters from gaining access to the building.

Additionally, a Fire Prevention plan will be developed for the township of Lethem and more fire hydrants will be planted in the area in efforts to stay ahead of the curve. This initiative will extend to all regions.

The GFS would like to extend gratitude to the Mayor of Lethem, John Macedo, Sgt. Austin, Auxiliary Firefighters and all other public spirited citizens who lent their support last evening and played a vital role in containing the fire.