DIVISIONAL Commander of the Guyana Fire Service, Mr. Compton Sparman, has expressed concern over the increased figures of malicious setting of fires that arose from varying disputes amongst persons in the Division, which spans from Abary on the West Coast of Berbice to Crabwood Creek on the Corentyne coastline.

A one hundred and twenty five percent increase in malicious fires has since been recorded for the year ended May 31.

“This upward trend started during the latter period of last year, and has continued during the current year, much to our concern,” Sparman has said.
He noted that during the period January 2013 to May 2014, there were 517 fire calls, during which 76 buildings were set alight, and 38 were completely damaged.

As a result, 147 persons were left homeless, while four were killed.

Commenting on the recent fires, including that which left 57-year-old Ragnauth homeless, the fire chief observed that an unattended kerosene oil lamp left in the bedroom had caused the blaze.

The victim, who lived alone, had left her home to go visit a former neighbour who was visiting from overseas.
Residents of Section A Cromarty Village were awakened just after midnight by the heat emanating from Ragnauth’s wooden cottage.
A bucket brigade organised by the neighbours had managed to restrict the flames to the lone edifice, but Ragnauth had managed to save nothing.

Subsequently, public appeals were made for assistance for the Government Public Assistance recipient.

Sparman further noted that the fire, which recently destroyed the building which once housed the Hogstyle Police Station, was a result of vagrants occupying the building.

Investigations revealed that vagrants had left an improvised stove unattended, and that had resulted in the blaze.
Smoke was seen emanating from the building, which was next to a gas station, when a businessman mobilised personnel to control the fire prior to the arrival of fire ranks from the Rose Hall Station.

(By Jeune Bailey Vankeric)