In a telephone interview with this newspaper, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle revealed that the 329 reports of fires so far for 2009, as compared to last year’s 319, were due in most part to maliciousness and careless actions of some householders.

Gentle also advised that 70 per cent of the fires experienced in and around Georgetown affected buildings, 32 of which were completely destroyed and 14 were just severely affected.

He noted that investigations show that the other 30 per cent was due to poor housekeeping and ignorance of proper fire safety.

Questioned about how many of the fires were of electrical origin, Gentle pointed that the perception that many have that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is in most cases responsible, should be dispelled.

The Fire Chief observed that in a many cases electrical origin means that the wiring of the house was faulty or there was an overloading of the circuit, adding that this does not necessarily have a direct bearing on the supply of electricity.

However, for this year there has been two fires of electrical origin, he said.

Meanwhile of the 329 fires for the period January 1 to April 30, 225 were actual fires with 32 resulting in extensive damage to property, while another 51 were false alarms and 21 were maliciously set.

The Fire Chief further disclosed that as a result of fire, seven persons lost their lives, which is an increase from last year, and 102 persons were made homeless. He added that six other fires are presently still under investigation.

Issuing words of caution to the public, Gentle said that the public has to be more fire conscious, adding that basics things such as not leaving a lighted candle, lamp or flambeau when leaving the house or building should be observed.

He noted that this is particularly troublesome in some outlying areas, naming Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) and some East Coast Demerara communities as examples where these careless acts are perpetuated.

One of the most tragic fires experienced this year was the Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown fire in which two children, Ewan, 3, and his 14-month-old brother, Isaiah Munroe, lost their lives after their mother, Cheryl Munroe, left a lit flambeau in the family cottage and went out.

Neighbours eventually pulled the charred bodies of the children out of the building.

The mother was later questioned by the police but no charges were laid against her.