Following Sunday morning’s fire, the Guyana Water Inc. says that it was unable to render any assistance to the Guyana Fire Service because it was not informed of the need for help by the Guyana Fire Service.
The water utility, in a press release yesterday, said that it was “not informed of the fire”. According to the release, “all relevant GWI operatives have confirmed that no call was received from the Guyana Fire Service regarding the fire”. GWI noted that “in the event that adequate pressure was not available at the time of the fire, the customary call from the Fire Service would have corrected the situation, since our Shelter Belt Plant is manned round-the-clock and once a fire call is received, our operators would promptly start our pumps and direct water supply at high pressure to the relevant section of the City. “ Observers have noted that Shelter Belt employees on their own should have been able to see the fire on Regent Street and make the necessary adjustments.
Meanwhile, the body says that according to the laws, it is not responsible for the maintenance of hydrants. The water utility, in the release, said that it is governed by the Water and Sewerage Act of 2002, and this act outlines GWI’s responsibilities with regard to water supply and the sanitation system in Georgetown. “The Act makes no mention of the issue of fire hydrants”, GWI stated.
The release said that “GWI regularly cooperates and provides full support to the Guyana Fire Service in the event of a fire.” The body said it has maintained a strong working relationship with the fire service for several years. This involves increasing water supply to the area in which the fire has occurred and having relevant operatives present at the scene to render any further assistance and advice as it relates to water supply, as was the case during the Regent Street fire of October 9, 2009.
”Guyana Water Incorporated wishes to reiterate its commitment to providing full support to our colleagues of the Guyana Fire Service. We will continue to provide all necessary assistance when required and anticipate further growth in our longstanding relationship”, the release further stated.
Sunday’s fire erupted at Household Plus on Regent Street and destroyed that store, Chino Variety, Slim Jet, Fullworths General Store and Wireless Connection leaving dozens jobless and millions lost in stock.
