Police in Regional Division Two and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) are investigating a devastating fire that completely destroyed the Best Choice Supermarket and an upper flat at Charity, Essequibo Coast, on Thursday afternoon.
Reports reaching Guyana Times indicate that the fire, whose origin up to press time is unknown, began at around 13:30h at the supermarket, which was owned by 22-year-old Chinese national and businesswoman Siyi Zheng of Lot 103 Charity River Dam.
The supermarket was housed on the lower flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete structure that also accommodated a hardware section.
The upper flat of the building was occupied by property owners Haimchandra Narine, 53, and his wife Vernel Narine, 51, both of Charity River Dam.

According to Zheng, she was inside the cashier booth when a staff member, identified only as Rachel, alerted her that smoke and flames were visible in the ceiling on the eastern side of the building. She immediately attempted to extinguish the blaze using a fire extinguisher, but the flames spread rapidly.
She, along with employees, evacuated the premises, while Vernel Narine, who was in the upper flat at the time, also managed to exit the building safely.
The Charity Fire Station was alerted and quickly responded. The firefighters managed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.
Despite their efforts, however, the two-storey building was reduced to rubble. An adjoining building to the east was scorched.
No injuries were reported.
The full extent of losses is yet to be determined since the supermarket’s inventory and hardware stock were completely destroyed.
Investigations are ongoing.