See statement from the Guyana Police Force on the Charity Market fire:
Police in Regional Division Two are probing a fire that destroyed a section of the Charity Old Market, Essequibo Coast, yesterday (Thursday, July 6, 2023).
At about 19:15 hours last night, a Sergeant of Police on his way to the Charity Police Station observed smoke emanating from the roof in the middle of the market and immediately alerted the security guards employed by NM Security Services, who were on duty there.
At the time, the market gates, which were locked and secured with padlocks, were opened by the police with the keys lodged at the Charity Police Station.
Upon checking, it was observed that sparks and smoke were coming from an electrical meter, which is located at the centre of the market.