FIRE Chief Marlon Gentle has reported that three less persons have died in fires, so far this year, as compared to the corresponding period last year. A child was among the four 2010 victims, he said, noting that, too many times, overloaded electricity circuits are the cause of the outbreaks.
In light of that, Mr. Gentle said it is advisable to have a certified electrician undertake electrical wiring in homes and have them checked occasionally.
He also advised that appliances be unplugged or switched off before members of households retire to bed and not leave children unsupervised.
The latest victim of a fiery death, Bibi Saquknena Latif, 62, of Lot 22 Debuff, Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara, was fatally burnt in her house during the early morning of July 20.
The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined but a post mortem examination on her corpse established that she died of smoke inhalation.
The sexagenarian mother of three, who lived alone and operated a rum shop business, was found in the lower flat of the two-storey building on a cot. (MICHEL OUTRIDGE)