CHIEF Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle last week said there is need to have several derelict buildings in the city demolished since they pose a threat to life and limb.

According to the Fire Chief, the time for action is now because these buildings which were identified since 2006 for demolition are still standing.

Gentle said that this is of great concern to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) because the old structures can collapse at any time.
He cited such buildings as the old Bedford High School at Robb and Bourda Streets, one in Globe Yard on Waterloo Street, and a building which was partly destroyed by fire some time ago at High and Barrack Streets, but is still occupied by several persons.

He told this publication that since 2006 these buildings were identified for demolition and the correspondence was sent to the relevant authorities for that process to take place but up to now those derelict buildings are still in existence.

Gentle pointed out that if and when one of these old buildings come crashing down, people can die or be seriously injured and they do not want that to happen.

He is therefore urging the authorities to take action immediately to have these derelict buildings demolished in a safe and proper manner before “too late shall be the cry” and obviously the GFS would be blamed.

Gentle said it is dangerous to have these buildings still standing and they should be demolished as early as possible. He added that more alarming is that people are occupying at least one of the buildings identified for demolition. He stated the derelict buildings also pose a serious fire hazard.
He pointed out that although they do not have the authority to tear the buildings down, there are the municipalities and other agencies that have vested interest to do so but they are not acting on it.

He explained that derelict buildings are not only a fire issue but a public safety issue and they cannot wait on buildings to fall and kill people.

Gentle said: “GFS does put out any fire and there are consequences, fire is a destructive element, it consumes and fire-fighting isn’t a magic wand, as soon as, you turn up at the scene the fire disappears. Fires stays and we have to fight it because that is what we do but people need to call us in a timely manner. Mostly GFS usually get fire calls late and it is only then they can respond to fires and contain it.”

(By Michel Outridge)