Fire destroys electronic shop in Lae city

Another fire in Lae city has destroyed Pelgens Lae warehouse. This is  third fire in a little over 31 days in Lae City, has destroyed, two more buildings owned by Lae-based companies. Its understood that cost of the damages, for several companies, could run into the millions.

Eyewitnesses say the fire began in an electronics shop at around 5pm yesterday, following an explosion inside the shop.

This is the third fire that has destroyed buildings belonging to companies in Lae.

In a space of 31 days,  these fire has again put Lae’s Fire Service in the spotlight.

Theo Palgan is an owner and also operates Palgans. He was at the sight during the fire.

The Building is managed by Tevon Real Estates, a company owned by the family as well.

Warehouse supervisor Chris Nathan was in his office, when he heard an explosion next door in Datec, an electronics Company also sharing the same building

Police were at the scene before looters could take advantage of the situation.

A member of the Police task force who declined to talk on camera says they had to fire shots into the air, to disperse over 100 people that came up from the Papuan Company.

By this morning the fire had spread throughout other companies leasing the building.

It comes 10 days after the Brian Bell Home Centre fire, just a few blocks away.

And the beginning of this month, G4S building and Niugini Drug Whole-Sale also was destroyed by fire.

PNG Today/EMTV