October 18, 2016

Archives for October 11, 2016

Fire razes Gafoor’s Houston Complex

Abdool Sattaur Gafoor was unable to remain stoic as part of his multibillion-dollar complex went up in flames for a second time within four months. The sting of the fire was written all over his face, as he answered questions on how much was lost, how many employees were out of a job and what could have caused it.

Fire-fighters battling to contain the fire on Monday evening

Fire-fighters battling to contain the fire on Monday evening

The Gafoor’s Houston Complex was engulfed in flames on Monday night, leaving some 80 employees jobless.
Speaking to the media as fire-fighters battled the raging flames, Gafoor stated that he was talking to his bond manager when another employee interrupted them, informing of a fire in Bond Six, where tiles and white cement were stored.
He related that the fire started about 18:00h, adding that fire-fighters were quick to contain the flames. According to Gafoor, he did everything to prevent a second occurrence of the May 18, 2016 fire, which ravaged through several sections of the complex and left over 500 persons jobless.
Gafoor had relocated 25 per cent of his employees to different branches across the country, while 50 per cent remained at the sections of the Houston Complex that was not destroyed in the fire.
The other 25 per cent of workers were paid 75 per cent of their respective salaries to “tide” them over until they resumed their jobs. He was expected to receive insurance for the damage, but the money has not been paid out to his company.
“All the precautions were in place. We put measures like fire extinguishers, water. There is no electricity in the area as yet, because we are still doing the wiring and there is no combustible, so it is left for me to believe this is something other than nature cause occurred here,” he said.
A source close to the investigation disclosed that sabotage might be the cause of the fire. “There was nothing in that bond that was combustible. It was recently renovated after the other fire, so it has to be someone wants to sabotage them,” the source said.
After the last fire, Gafoor’s losses were estimated at $12 billion and the cause of the fire was believed to have been possibly electrical. (Jeanna Pearson)

AK-47 brandishing bandits rob Chinese restaurant

A Chinese restaurant at Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant in the Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was on Sunday evening robbed by bandits carrying an AK-47 assault rifle.
However, Divisional Commander Kevin Adonis told this publication that it was not a robbery, while a senior officer attached to the Criminal Investigation Department said that the matter was not reported.

Lai Li Chinese Restaurant at Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant

Lai Li Chinese Restaurant at Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant

Sangeeta Lall, as employee of the Lai Li Chinese Restaurant who was relieved of her cellular phone and money

Sangeeta Lall, as employee of the Lai Li Chinese Restaurant who was relieved of her cellular phone and money

Sangeeta Lall, who works at the Lai Li Chinese Restaurant, said the men took her cellular phone and money from the restaurant before leaving. One eyewitness related that two men entered the restaurant carrying a gun. Other reports indicate that it was an AK-47 and one shot was fired.
According to reports, shortly after 20:00h on Sunday, the attack was carried out by two unmasked men who were seen in the vicinity of the restaurant hours before the attack. At the time the proprietor, two staff, and a customer were in the restaurant.
According to reports when the two men entered the restaurant, a man who was waiting on one of the restaurant staffers immediately reported to patrons at a bar nearby that there was a robbery. More than a dozen men rushed over to the restaurant where the two men were confronted.
This led to a standoff which lasted a few seconds, then one of the bandits reportedly raised his firearm, which caused the mob to back off, allowing the bandits to exit. The bandits had been attempting to gain access to the back of the building where the proprietor and staff had fled in their bid to escape when the mob of men arrived.
After the bandits cautiously walked out of the restaurant, facing on the group of public-spirited citizens, they crossed the road and then discharged one shot into the air before running through a street opposite the restaurant.
No one followed them.
Three off-duty Police Officers and several ex-military men were among the first on the scene, and they confirmed that the men were carrying an AK-47.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the bandits were seen in the community several times within the past two weeks. It is believed that their target was a nearby supermarket.
Both men are known to the community. On two occasions during the past week, one businessman asked them to leave the area after they had spent more than half an hour in front of a nearby shop. They also visited Lai Li Chinese Restaurant on three occasions and bought food.
People in the community claim the bandits are from Albion.