–were maliciously set in most cases

THERE has, for the past three years, been a sharp increase in motor vehicles being destroyed by fire, and in many cases, the fires were maliciously set. So said Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle yesterday.

Giving statistics, he stated that, for this year from January to June, they recorded 29% increase in vehicles being destroyed by fire.

Gentle added that, for this year, 14 vehicles were completely destroyed by fire, while for the corresponding period last year, there were 10.

He said that, this year, five vehicles were severely damaged, while nine were destroyed last year, recording a 44% decrease.

Gentle pointed out that, for this year, three vehicles were slightly damaged in fires, and seven for last year, with a 57% decrease.

In total, this year there were 22 vehicles destroyed by fire, and for last year there were 26 recorded incidents.

The Chief Fire Officer told this publication that the major causes for vehicles being completely damaged by fires derived from a malicious setting, which includes fraud and to avoid seizures; and there were personal vendettas.

He explained that some persons actually set their own vehicles alight to escape insurance issues involving mostly privately owned vehicles, ranging from Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) to cars.

Gentle said that more vehicles have been destroyed by fire each year for the past three years, and it is a serious cause for concern by the Guyana Fire Service, even though no lives were lost in those incidents.

(By Michel Outridge)