GEORGETOWN, Guyana, July 31, CMC – The owner of a business place destroyed by fire on Tuesday was pronounced dead at hospital after he collapsed at the scene of the fire that destroyed a multi-storey shopping complex in the heart of the capital.

Hospital authorities confirmed that 65-year-old Ramdat Shiwprasad collapsed at the scene and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death has not been disclosed but media reports said he may have suffered a heart attack.

The fire, which began during the early hours on Tuesday has resulted in millions of dollars in damages and placed a number of workers on the unemployment line.

The owner of another store has been hospitalised as a result of smoke inhalation. T

Many witnesses criticised the fire service over its slow response to the fire but Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said fire officials had responded promptly to the call around 5.15 am (local time).