The GFS has defended its performance at a New Year’s Day fire at La Grange that left nine persons homeless.
In a statement today, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said that the claims in sections of the media that it did not bring water to the scene is inaccurate. It said that it is more than equipped to handle all fires with water or other extinguishing agents.
It said that at 1.35 pm yesterday, the Fire Service received a call alerting to a fire at Lot 171, Unity Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara.
Water tender #111 with a full tank supply (450 gallons) and a crew from the La Grange Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the location and arrived on the scene at 1:45 pm.
Upon arrival, the statement said that firefighters observed a two-storey wooden and concrete house completely engulfed in flames and in the final stages of destruction.
The building was located behind several houses and was only accessible through a narrow alleyway.
The GFS said that the distance from the fire truck to the scene of the fire was approximately 250 metres.
Based on the fact that the roof of the building had already collapsed and that no nearby buildings were threatened by the blaze, firefighters opted to establish a continuous water relay system using a light pump and an open water source instead of using the tank’s supply.
The GFS said that the building involved was owned by 44-year-old Nigel Douglas.
The first floor of the building was occupied by Douglas, while the ground floor was occupied by 34-year-old Keon Gonsalves and his seven family members.
As a result of the fire, the building and its contents were destroyed, leaving nine persons homeless.
The GFS said that the fire reportedly started after a child was left unattended while playing with a lighter on a chair.
One jet from light pump #118 working from an open water source was used to extinguish the fire.
“The Guyana Fire Service urges persons to seek the facts before making assumptions that discredit the service and question the efforts of our hardworking and dedicated ranks.
“We are accessible via our toll-free number, 912, and encourage citizens to contact us with concerns or queries, and most importantly, to inform us of fires as soon as they occur”, the GFS said.
