12 homeless, over 50 motorcycles destroyed in suspected arson in Sophia

A fire suspected to have been deliberately set in the early hours of Wednesday has left 12 people homeless and destroyed more than 50 motorcycles in the Lamaha Squatting Area, ‘B’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said it received a call about a blaze at the location at about 02:58 h.

Firefighting units were dispatched and arrived on the scene at 03:05h. The fire reportedly started in a single-storey wooden structure, which was completely consumed by the flames.

As a result, three individuals who lived in the house were left without shelter. The fire is suspected to have been maliciously set by unknown individuals, and investigations are underway.

In addition to the main structure, two nearby buildings were destroyed due to the intense radiated heat, displacing nine more people. The fire also ravaged approximately 60 undocumented motorcycles, which were stored near the area.

According to the GFS, firefighters worked effortlessly to contain and eventually extinguish the fire.