– Gentle
CHIEF Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said yesterday that investigations into the cause of last Friday’s Regent Street, Georgetown, conflagration, which destroyed businesses and a dwelling house, will be completed soon.

The aftermath of last Friday’s Regent Street fire which destroyed two businesses and a dwelling house.

Giving the assurance, he said, from all appearances, the blaze started in the upper flat of Regent Household Electronics.

Gentle said the flames would have already spread inside that building before sparks were seen on the electricity wires on the utility pole outside.

As regards the hydraulic platform recently acquired, which many people felt should have been used, the Fire Chief pointed out that the area was not suitable for the equipment to be manoeuvred and it would have been detrimental for the operators as high winds prevailed.

Gentle noted, with concern, criticisms levelled at his department, but explained that his staff worked exceptionally well, given the conditions under which they were operating.

He said the new water tenders and carrier were in use Friday when the Guyana Fire Service managed to contain the fire.