A devastating fire engulfed the storage bond of the 401 Furniture Store this afternoon, resulting in millions of dollars in damages. The blaze completely destroyed the two-storey facility, which was filled with furniture, mattresses, and household appliances.
The Guyana Fire Service responded promptly with two fire tenders; however, the flames were intensified by the wind, hampering their efforts to contain the fire. Many residents and employees of the furniture store watched in disbelief as the fire raged.
Nazim Khan, the owner of 401 Furniture, provided insights into the events leading up to the disaster. He explained that workers had attempted to smoke out a section of the bond after discovering a beehive. Khan expressed concern that their decision to smoke out the bees might have inadvertently sparked the fire. “The bees, they think they were going to smoke the bees out but they didn’t realize the place does get foam,” he stated, adding that it was not the workers’ fault.
Saudia Khan, the owner’s daughter, indicated that the family is awaiting an official report from the Guyana Fire Service regarding the incident. She mentioned that the storage bond had been operational since 2019.
“We don’t have factual information about what really happened. Some guys were hired to clear the front of the building… and as they were clearing the land, they saw the beehive. They lit a fire to smoke it out but didn’t communicate this intention to us,” she explained.
The Guyana Fire Service has commenced an investigation into the cause of the fire, and an official report is forthcoming. The loss has left many in the community shocked as they process the significant impact on the local business.
