THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) yesterday reported that the cause of the Water Street, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, fire may be electrical in origin, as such, they are awaiting word from the government electrical inspector, who will detail his findings shortly.

Divisional Commander Compton Sparman said they responded to the blaze in good time and contained it to one building.

On Sunday morning, fire ripped through a dwelling house which was home to eight persons, leaving them homeless.

According to an eyewitness, Abekie Dublin, she was standing at her verandah next door when she noticed the fire and raised an alarm shortly after 09:00hrs.

She told this publication that the fire started from the upper flat of the two-storey house by the rear window from the electrical wire,which initially started to spark then caught afire, eventually engulfing the partly wood and concrete building in flames.
The house was owned by Roy Rupchand, who occupied the top flat with his wife, Evelyn Rupchand and a grandson, while the lower flat was occupied by Rupchand’s son, his wife and three children.

Roy Rupchand and his wife, Rookmin, were at Mandir (Hindu temple) when the fire started and consumed the house, but were alerted to the blaze by neighbours, who summoned the GFS.

GRASS FIRES
Divisional Commander Compton Sparman told this publication that the increased incidents of grass fires are very bothersome for the GFS, since they have to attend to buildings on fire as well; as such, they have adopted a “no-nonsense” approach to such fires and they will have persons causing grass fires arrested.

He added that person (s) need to dispose of their garbage in the proper manner and desist from igniting grass and refuse, because it is getting out of control and calls are very frequent.

Sparman said these grass fires can also cause damage to structures, fences etc. and it is not environmentally friendly and poses a hazard for all road users also.

He noted that burning garbage on parapets is illegal and people need to stop setting grass and refuse alight as a means of disposal.