Attorney-at-Law Christopher Belfield has disclosed that the two-storey building that collapsed along Cemetery Road on Tuesday was the home where he grew up, while outlining the circumstances that led to the incident and clarifying the property’s status.
In a public statement, Belfield said the property, located at Lot 10-10, Sublot “G”, Cemetery Road, Georgetown, holds significant personal meaning for him and had previously been referenced in a 2021 Guyana Chronicle article.
He acknowledged that longstanding public concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of the building and the potential public safety and occupational hazards were concerns he also shared.
According to Belfield, plans were in place to demolish the structure, but the process was delayed due to several factors, the primary one being the relocation of the property’s final occupants. He noted that the matter had been receiving his attention, along with that of other individuals, and that the relevant authorities remained actively involved, including as recently as Tuesday morning.
Belfield outlined the sequence of events leading up to the collapse, stating that the front steps of the building became completely detached sometime after 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Throughout Tuesday, repeated cracking sounds were reportedly heard coming from the windows before the house collapsed between approximately 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
He said the elderly occupants of the home were not present when the building collapsed. However, two other individuals were briefly trapped but managed to escape without sustaining injuries.
Belfield described the collapse as “unfortunate and deeply saddening,” noting that it occurred before the urgently needed demolition could be carried out. He expressed gratitude that no one was injured and that there was no reported damage to surrounding properties.
He added that the relevant authorities remain engaged and that efforts to secure the site and remove the debris will begin shortly.
Belfield also issued a public notice advising that the Cemetery Road property is not for sale, lease, rent, or available for any form of transfer or occupation.
He warned that individuals with no legal interest in the property have allegedly been making false representations regarding its availability and urged members of the public to exercise caution to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
He advised anyone with concerns regarding the property to contact him directly.
