TIMELY response by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) early yesterday morning averted a major disaster at Phase Two, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, when a man in a drunken stupor set his house alight in a domestic dispute turned violent.

When this publication arrived on the scene, fire fighters responding to the call at approximately 07:30 hrs had already doused the blaze, but the inside of the modest wooden cottage had been scorched and items appeared to have been scattered about the place as if a fight had occurred.

No one was at home, but residents said that constant drunken quarrels and fights are a feature of the residence, which is occupied by a man, his wife and children. They said he had been drinking again during the morning hours, and was very loud as he began assaulting his spouse.

In a fit of rage, he set the place alight, and armed himself with an axe to chop up his wife, who escaped from the house.

Villagers described this behaviour as normal, and said they did not pay much attention to the happenings until they observed smoke billowing from the house, whereupon they summoned the GFS, fearing a massive inferno.

The GFS came in for loud praise for its quick response to the summon, but the man went into hiding when the police showed up at the scene.

(Michel Outridge)