– but major disaster averted
A MAJOR conflagration was averted yesterday morning in Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown as a fire started on a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility pole and surged along electricity lines.

The blaze, which threatened houses and sent shivers down the spines of residents, resulted from a disruption of current along the lines caused by children flying kites in the neighbourhood, Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and GPL servicemen said.
People who live in the vicinity said that, around 11:45 hrs, they heard a loud and strange sound coming from the post to which a transformer is fitted and, immediately, the attached wires began flaring and running along the conduits.
Terrified, they called the GFS which dispatched a unit to the scene, as well as contacted the GPL Emergency Crew, summoning them to the scene of the explosion.

SEVERAL KITES
On arrival there, firemen and GPL servicemen found that there were several kites, hooked onto and dotting the power cables.
They reported that, from time to time, kites would become entangled with the power lines and fittings on the poles and the children would fiercely tug at them, in their efforts to retrieve the kites.
A GPL emergency officer explained that, because of the constant pulling and tugging at the wires where kites became trapped, two power cables were, eventually, bridged and ignited, leading to the fire which erupted.
The officials reiterated their calls to parents to caution their children against flying kites where power poles are planted and to fly only in open spaces.
Flying kites near power lines is a dangerous practice which could result in the loss of lives, damage to GPL’s equipment, as well as destruction of property.
The blaze yesterday started opposite Lot 50 Norton Street, Lodge, posing a threat to at least five buildings, including one which houses Quacy’s Internet Café Gaming Centre.

Persons in the area were loud in praise for the GFS and GPL personnel, whose quick response prevented a disaster.
By Shirley Thomas